Mayan Americans facts for kids
_(cropped).jpg)
American actress Jessica Alba, whose father was of Maya descent from Mexico.
|
|
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 500,000 (2011) | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Mainly in Sunbelt, in places such as Los Angeles, Houston or Indiantown | |
| Languages | |
| Religion | |
| Predominantly Roman Catholic | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Indigenous peoples of the Americas, Spanish Americans |
Mayan Americans are people in the United States who have Indigenous Mayan roots. Most Mayan Americans come from western Guatemala and a region in Mexico called Chiapas.
Contents
Why Did Mayans Come to America?
The Guatemalan Civil War and Its Impact
The Cold War was a time when different ideas about government spread around the world. In Latin America, some people were inspired by Fidel Castro and the Cuban Revolution. This led to workers, indigenous Mayans, and farmers in Guatemala forming groups that wanted change. These groups included the MR-13 and the EGP.
This conflict started after the U.S. helped overthrow Guatemala's elected government in 1954. The Mayan people in Guatemala were caught in the middle of the Guatemalan Civil War, which lasted from 1954 to 1996. During this long war, many Mayans faced food shortages, unfair treatment, and violence. More than 200,000 Guatemalan Mayans died.
To fight against the groups seeking change, the Guatemalan military used a harsh tactic called "scorched earth." This meant they would burn villages and all the crops in areas where they thought rebels might be hiding. This caused widespread hunger and made life very difficult for Mayan farmers. The Guatemalan government was controlled by leaders who were supported by the U.S. and its money. They tried to keep control by cracking down on Mayans in rural areas. This violence and lack of opportunities pushed many Mayans to leave their homes to find safety.
Migration After the War
The difficult conditions during the war caused many Mayans to start moving to America in the 1970s. This movement continued until the war ended. There were three main waves of Mayan people seeking refuge:
- The first wave were those seeking immediate safety.
- The second wave involved families reuniting with relatives who had already moved.
- The third wave were people looking for better economic chances.
Many Mayan families were separated when men moved to America to send money back home to Guatemala. The number of Mayan migrants grew quickly, especially during the war when conditions became too hard for families left behind.
However, getting asylum (protection) in the U.S. became harder during the war. The U.S. government at the time was very strict about who could get asylum. Even though the war was the main reason Mayans were leaving, it was tough for them to be granted protection.
After the civil war ended, most Mayans who came to America were looking for better jobs and economic opportunities. Today, more Mayans are still arriving in America from Guatemala for these reasons. While some Mayans also moved to other Central American countries like Mexico, a large number came to the United States. They have settled in places like San Francisco, Miami, and even in the Great Plains.
Where Do Mayans Live in North America?
Mayan Americans are mostly found in the Sun Belt, a region in the southern U.S. They live in big cities like Los Angeles and Houston, but also in rural areas because of their farming backgrounds. Many Mayan immigrants moved to poorer parts of big cities, where they sometimes faced more challenges like violence and discrimination.
Most Mayan immigrants work in jobs that require manual labor. They also sometimes have trouble communicating and contacting family members back home. The postal service in Guatemala can be unreliable, so many Mayan Americans use special delivery services to send messages to their relatives.
Some Mayan communities have grown in places like Nebraska, where large meatpacking factories hire Mayan workers, though often for low wages. Despite challenges, some Mayans have started their own businesses, such as restaurants and cultural classes. The strong community spirit of Mayan society helps them create their own ways to support themselves. Other Mayan groups have formed communities in farming areas, like Indiantown, Florida. Indiantown has a growing population of people from Central America, many of whom are indigenous.
Even though some areas have larger Mayan populations, many still face tough economic conditions and limited opportunities. This is often due to language barriers and pressure to fit into American culture. Their strong farming and community traditions often keep a large number of Mayans connected to their communities. Younger generations of Mayans are finding success in factory jobs, showing a shift from traditional farming roles. Mayan Americans contribute to the U.S. economy through industrial work, farm labor, and even leadership roles.
Mayan Culture in the United States
The difficult reasons that led Mayans to leave Guatemala meant that many were forced to move. Some Mayans see themselves as displaced people who find it hard to fully become part of American culture. This often leads them to form close-knit communities with other Mayans in the U.S.
Another challenge for Mayan Americans is how they are seen and grouped. Mayan languages and dialects are different from Spanish. This can cause problems in schools, at work, and in daily life. Mayans speak many different languages, including Mam, Yucatec, and Kekchi, not just Spanish. This makes their immigration paperwork more complicated because their unique cultural background is often not fully recognized. The immigration system often groups Mayans with other Latin Americans instead of seeing them as a distinct ethnic group.
Identity issues have always been a barrier for ethnic Mayans. Compared to other groups, Guatemalan immigrants are a smaller part of the Latin American immigrant population in the U.S., so their identity is less known. Traditional village and family structures are still very important among Mayans in the United States. These traditional ways are sometimes challenged by the different rules and structures of workplaces.
Their indigenous roots remain strong, as most Mayan Americans live in Mayan communities. Outside of these communities, Mayan culture has influenced places where they have settled. For example, in Los Angeles, the Mayan Theater was once a symbol of Mayan architecture and art. In the 1990s, it was recognized as a historical landmark. Mayan culture is also used in other ways, such as the Maya Lagoon, a popular nightclub in Houston.
