GUANCASCO

Guancasco is a religious cultural expression of the lenca indigenous peoples. In pre-Columbian and colonial times, many battles and disputes took place between leaders of different communities in their quest for domination (especially between managers and señoríos). When an agreement was reached, the disputes were then settled through a dance called guancasco (meaning «meeting») to symbolise the peace pact. The continuous custom of this day, throughout the year, between the villages surrounding the road lenca to recall their desire for brotherhood. At the time of the employer's celebration of the saint, a figure is transported from one village to another. In the case of Gracias Lempira, for example, the guancasco takes place on 13 December and 20 January with its neighbouring village of Mejicapa.