Kinship Interview: My mother's perspective of Guatemala

1) The person I chose for my kinship interview was my mother. She was born in Sinaca, Guatemala located in Central America in the year 1965. She had four siblings which consisted of two older sisters, one younger sister, and one younger brother and was raised by her mother and father. My mother comes from a culture that practices some Catholic beliefs, but also some supernatural such as witchcraft. The belief that curses are put upon by witches are still alive and well in Guatemala. It is considered necessary for the women to learn some type of white magic remedies to protect their family from witchcraft. It is however, taboo to practice black magic and should not be sought out because black magic attracts demons. Not far from Sinaca is what is known as "La Antigua" (Antique Guatemala) where temples from ancient Mayan civilizations are located. She then migrated to the United States in search of better opportunities for herself and her family. She has since gained legal residency and visits her home country whenever she is able to on holidays.

2) While the interview was taking place there was no sense of awkwardness or discomfort with any of the questions it was actually the complete opposite. With every question she opened up more and more of what she remembered about growing up in Guatemala and the people she found support in. I myself was also comfortable during the interview because I speak to my mother regularly about a variety of different subjects. If I would have been interviewing a complete stranger I would not have received all the information I did. The reason why I believe it would have been more difficult interviewing a stranger is because there would not be a strong mutual level of trust. The information on witchcraft is a taboo to even mention in Guatemala unless it is to a direct family member. I personally had no idea that belief is still in my family. With a stranger I would have to be careful not to ask too many personal questions or the interviewee might distance themselves from the conversation.

3) The pattern I noticed in my family is lineage. My mother mentioned how she is a descendant from a Guatemalan Indian woman who decided to leave her tribe to marry her love. She does not remember her name however, but that it was the starting point to how her family came to be many generations later. The story of this woman was passed down from generation to generation but somewhere along the way the name was forgotten entirely. The little information that was passed down to me was what I have just mentioned. One tradition that has been in the family is to respect elders. Elders in the family are considered of the highest rank within the family. The younger generations must respect them and take their advice into consideration when making decisions. There are very few ethnic differences in her family. The only thing that makes communication difficult is the location in Guatemala where they reside. In certain areas in Guatemala, there are no computers or even telephones. This is slowly changing however, and now most of her close relatives are starting to communicate with family using social media such as Facebook.

4) I have met most of my mother's and father's families but do not really know my father's family well. My mother's brother moved to the United States many years ago and had children that are close to my age. But for personal reasons that I would rather not share, I do not know my cousins or father's family at a personal level. When I do socialize with family, they are usually from my mother's side. In my family, my mother has the most influence on decisions for the family. She has this power because of everything she has done for her family. She works to provide food and a roof under her family's heads, she is considered the head of the household. Family members who are married into the family are treated like family. However, they are quickly disowned by the family if they disrespect my mother. There are no difference in attitude toward different genders in my family. Everyone is expected to do something that benefits the family in one way or another. I have learned really interesting things about my family through this exercise. I did not know that the older generations of my family still believe in witchcraft. I also was unaware of the ancient Mayan temples that are relatively close to where my mother's family lives. I have also come to the realization that my family holds loyalty as one of the most important aspects a person can have.