During the ethnocide in Guatemala in the 80's and 90's, cultural Q'eqchi' symbols were destroyed to weaken the indigenous communities. Instruments and Green Trees were among the most important. The Green Trees are pre-columbian 'crosses' that represent the four pillars of the corners of the earth. The sky rests on them. By destroying them, the sky falls down. They are made from one specific kind of tree, just like the traditional instruments. An effort was undertaken to find elderly who knew how to bring the instruments and Green Trees back to life. The whole proces took nearly two years. A tree had to be found, it had to be prepared during 9 months in order to respect the forest and ik had to be cut in logs, crafted and painted. Finally, the Green Trees had to be offered food and drinks in a community ceremony. 39 'crosses' and two instruments were made and people from all the surrounding villages participated. A professional painter from Luxembourg was asked to help the painting. Only unmarried boys and girls could carry the crosses from the mountain to the village and contrary to all expectations, 39 young people were found to do the heavy job.

 

Even today, these works of art are instruments for essential ceremonies related to agriculture and fertility.​

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