Grills of the Guatemalan Highlands

#99 Grills of the Guatemalan Highlands – A Story of History, Culture, and Identity

Description:

From Mayan traditions to contemporary obsessions, explore the intersection of culture, history, and identity in the vibrant landscape of the Guatemalan Highlands. Tune in for a journey of discovery unlike any other, as we unravel the shimmering legacy of grills in Central America.

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EPISODE INTRO

Cold Opening:

When you think of grills, you might picture hip-hop artists or flashy celebrities. But did you know that grills have a deep-rooted history in the Guatemalan Highlands? Today, we’re delving into the ancient origins, modern meanings, and cultural shifts surrounding these shiny mouth adornments.

But before we dive in, let’s give a shoutout to our sources for today’s episode: two thought-provoking articles that offer diverse perspectives on the topic. We’ll be weaving insights from Lauren Schwartzberg’s piece on the ancient history of grills and Juan Brenner’s exploration of grills in the Guatemalan Highlands.

I also want to give a shoutout to my friend Andrew for giving me the idea for today’s episode! I appreciate it brother and I hope you’re doing well.

Intro:

What is going on everyone? I’m Kevin Muñoz. Today is Monday, February 5th Welcome to The LEO podcast, your go-to for insightful discussions on various educational topics, with a focus on issues impacting the Latin American community.

Now, before we dive into today’s episode, I want to give a quick shout-out to our fantastic supporters at patreon.com/latinamericaneo. If you want to unlock bonus content and help us keep the episodes coming, join our Palomitas community!

Don’t worry if you’re not a patron yet; you’re still in for a treat with this episode. Packed with great content, so just sit back, relax, and enjoy today’s show!

KEY POINTS OF EPISODE

Segment #1: Ancient Origins & Legacy

Our episode today starts with a journey back in time to explore the ancient origins of grills.

Ancestors of the Mayan who now live in southeastern Mexico, Belize, Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and El Salvador still wear mouth ornamentation.

On a trip to Guatemala that Dr. E. J. Neiburger wrote about in his 2012 piece in the Journal of the Massachusetts Dental Society, he estimated that about 65 percent of Guatemalans wore some sort of gold dental decoration. In Central America, local dentists advertise their names next to pictures not of pearly whites but of flashy gold teeth, which have replaced jade as the decoration of choice.

Gold teeth are commonly worn by native Latin Americans throughout the region. Costa Ricans, who aren’t Maya, have a saying that roughly translates to, “That’s as terrible as a Guanacaste resident without a gold tooth.”

And of course, we know gold was the main reason why Spaniards invaded and conquered the Americas. After Christopher Columbus bumped into it in 1492, and Hernán Cortés started bringing massive amounts of precious metals back to Europe, a gold rush started and changed the course of history.

But as Juan Brenner explains In his article, “ The story in Guatemala was very different; gold can’t be found in impressive amounts in Guatemala or Central America. In pre-Columbian times, our territories were big producers of cotton, bird feathers, dyes, and jade, and some of these products were equally or more valuable than gold for the Aztec empire. The Mayan empire collapsed more than 500 years before the Spaniards came to America, and the royalty after the pre-classic Mayan Age embellished their teeth with materials such as quartz, hematite, and jade.

It wasn’t until the past several decades when the economy started shifting and changing in the Highlands, that people started using gold in their mouths as a more enduring method of fixing their teeth. It was in the 1990s—and around the time Guatemala’s civil war ended—when the new generations started wearing gold grills as a symbol of power and money. “

Isn’t it fascinating how history comes full circle, with trends echoing across cultures and generations? The concept of circular history reminds us that the past is never truly forgotten—it’s merely reinvented.

Segment #2: Modern Grills & Shifting Meanings

Fast forward to the 1990s, a pivotal era marked by the end of Guatemala’s civil war and the rise of gold grills as symbols of power and wealth. Hip-hop and globalization fueled a new obsession with grills among the Gen Z generation, reshaping the cultural landscape of the Guatemalan Highlands.

But beneath the glitz and glamour lies a sobering reality: According to the dental technicians Brennar spoke to, the use of cheaper metal alloys raises concerns about health risks. Most of the metal being used for dental reasons isn’t gold, but a bunch of metal alloys brought from China. Many of these professionals claim that, as a result, esophageal, stomach, and intestinal cancer numbers are going up at a very worrying rate in the Highlands.

As we examine the motivations behind wearing grills today, we’re reminded of the complex interplay between tradition and modernity.

Segment #3: Identity & Globalization

Globalization is a term used to describe how trade and technology have made the world a more connected and interdependent place. It also captures in its scope the economic and social changes that have come about as a result.

So then what do grills mean in the context of identity and globalization? While rooted in Mayan heritage, the current fascination with grills transcends cultural boundaries. Juan Brenner’s firsthand account sheds light on how social media and technology shape the cultural landscape of the Guatemalan highlands evident by how the kids dress, think, talk, and understand their ecosystem and territory. The new generation is even abandoning the idea of immigration to the U.S. as a means of changing their life and economics; wealth is starting to grow, and a new middle class is being created.

As we navigate this ever-evolving terrain, it’s important to recognize that the allure of grills isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s a reflection of societal aspirations and values.

CLOSING REMARKS & EPISODE SUMMARY

Well, folks, that wraps up our exploration of Grills of the Guatemalan Highlands. We’ve journeyed through ancient traditions, contemporary obsessions, and the intricate tapestry of identity in a globalized world.

Before we sign off, I want to leave you with a thought: What stories do grills tell about culture, history, and human connection? I encourage you to keep the conversation going and share your reflections with us.

Remember, the story of grills is more than meets the eye—it’s a testament to the resilience of culture and the enduring quest for self-expression.

Until next time, stay curious, stay compassionate, and keep exploring the world around you.

Episode Summary/ Conclusion:

Closing Remarks:

I’m Kevin Muñoz and as always feel free to send me a voicemail through my website latinamerianeo.org by simply clicking the purple “send voicemail” popup and just start recording your thoughts or any interesting topic that you’d like to see covered. I might just feature it in the next episode!

and for those of you on Patreon, I’ll see you there.

Otherwise, I’ll see you all in next week’s episode!