Guatemala: Palo Ensebado · Global Voices
David Sasaki

Chapinadas explains the fascinating traditional dance of the Palo Ensebado in San Luis, Peten: “A week before this dance starts, five men go into the forrest to choose a suitable tree.  Before the tree is cut, the priests offer their apologies and ask for permission from the valerio tree to be cut.  When the tree is cut, the tree is carried by several men to a place to be debark and waxed.”