About 600 BC the Maya lowlands experienced a large and rapid population increase. The area, which was dotted with hundreds of small farming communities. Powerful chiefdoms emerged about 400 BC. These chiefdoms were based at various sites, including El Mirador, Tikal, Cerros, Becan, and Dzibilchaltun which developed into ceremonial and population centers with tens of thousands of residents. Enormous temple platforms and spacious plazas were built to reflect the power and authority of the Maya rulers. Pottery and other crafts were created by specialized artisans and were uniform throughout the area.
La Quema del Diablo (The Burning of the Devil) is on 7 December each year. The town and cityfolk clear their homes of all useless stuff such as old clothes. At 6pm the piles are burned and crowds of people gather round to celebrate an ancient tradition. Guatemalans strongly believe that by burning the rubbish they are purging their homes and towns of evil.
