Doña Julia Making Tamales
When Blessings Flow Through the Hands
by Andi Alexander
I am so grateful to be welcomed to this community. Each time we come, there is always at least one invitation to sit down to a great feast of tamales, prepared with love and magic like the people around the table. Last January I accompanied my sister-in-law, Connie, to the home of Emiliana Diaz Cruz, also known as Doña Julia, where Connie learned to maketamales. My job was to take notes, and my mission to photograph.
For this photographer, the light in Doña Julia’s kitchen was spare and strong. The warmth was everywhere. By watching, listening, attending some would say beholding – I photographed Doña Julia, daughter-in-law, Lucy, and my “querida cuñada” as they made tamales together. These people, these homes, this community is my blessing. How can I be so lucky?
As a John O’Donohue has written, “May we all receive blessing upon blessing. And may we realize our power to bless, heal, and renew one another”.
Such is Chacula. Such is Guatemala.
by Andi Alexander
I am so grateful to be welcomed to this community. Each time we come, there is always at least one invitation to sit down to a great feast of tamales, prepared with love and magic like the people around the table. Last January I accompanied my sister-in-law, Connie, to the home of Emiliana Diaz Cruz, also known as Doña Julia, where Connie learned to maketamales. My job was to take notes, and my mission to photograph.
For this photographer, the light in Doña Julia’s kitchen was spare and strong. The warmth was everywhere. By watching, listening, attending some would say beholding – I photographed Doña Julia, daughter-in-law, Lucy, and my “querida cuñada” as they made tamales together. These people, these homes, this community is my blessing. How can I be so lucky?
As a John O’Donohue has written, “May we all receive blessing upon blessing. And may we realize our power to bless, heal, and renew one another”.
Such is Chacula. Such is Guatemala.
All photos by Andi Anderson. Copyright 2016.