Totonicapán

By Christopher Minster

Totonicapán is a laid-back, medium sized city located in Guatemala’s central-western highlands not far from the much larger city of Quetzaltenango. It’s name is derived from a nahuatl word meaning “hot springs” and there are, in fact, some hot springs nearby. During the colonial era, the people of Totonicapán and its surroundings were famous for their frequent uprisings and rebellions. The most famous of these occurred in 1820, when local indigenous leaders gathered together a mob of supporters and took over the local government, announcing their decision to secede from the rest of Guatemala. The rebellion lasted about 20 days before it was put down. Things have quieted down since then, however, and today “Toto” is a friendly, accessible place.

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