The “convivencia” of this holiday season

December is when two seasons in the coffee growing communities with which we work collide: The coffee harvest, which is currently in full swing, and the season of “convivencia.” Convivencia derives from the verb “convivir,” which means to coexist peacefully and harmoniously in the same space. The essence of this time of year in Guatemala cannot be captured without the use of this word. In fact, a Guatemalan December tradition is to organize “convivios,” which are holiday parties and gatherings with friends, coworkers, classmates, etc. that happen only at this time of year. Convivio, also derived from the verb“convivir”, lacks an accurate English equivalent. The closest translation would be “a coexistence,” however in English, we wouldn’t necessarily say, “the office is having a holiday coexistence” or “the neighbors invited us to their coexistence next Saturday.” However, perhaps by grasping the depth of the word convivir (to coexist), which gives way to the words convivencia (coexisting) and convivio (a coexistence), we can begin to understand just how fundamental it is for Guatemalans to come together with friends and family this time of year. This is a concept and  custom we can all likely relate to regardless of where and with who were spending the upcoming holidays.

Blandy, the legal representative for our partner cooperative, UPC, describes what the holidays and harvest means to her and her family: “As a coffee producer, I feel very grateful this time of year where the harvest is [just] starting and the end of the year celebrations, too,” she says. “This year, I will be able to spend Christmas with my daughters in our home. Thanks to a fair wage, I was able to build my own house this year--a success I credit to my work in coffee.” Hearing Blandy speak about how different Christmas will be for family and the convivencia--or coexistence--that she will have with her daughters in their new home serves as great inspiration for the DLG team and our work. 

Now, with the 2021 harvest well on its way, we look ahead to 2022 with immense hope for what next year will bring. As families, cooperatives, the De La Gente team, and communities come together for convivios and to “coexist” in intentional and celebratory ways, we, of course, have our extended DLG family in mind, and hope that your holidays are filled with the people and places that bring you joy. We send you all our gratitude for being part of the good fortune that this year provided and look ahead to the promise of the next.