The q'eqchies, the only town in Guatemala conquisted peacefuly, maintained their traditions. The Q'eqchi' is spoken mainly in Alta Verapaz, in the municipalities of Ixcan and Uspantan, and in Quiche.

It is spoken too in El Estor, Livingston and a part of Morales, in Izabal. Fray Bartolome de Las Casas and two others missionaries learnt the q'eqchi' to be able to conquest them in 1538.

Today 474 000 personas speak the language. The Q'eqchies in Alta Verapaz are distinguished by their colourful clothes made by the women in looms of wood.

They are known for their silver craft and products in iron forged, like they do in Coban. Others important products they make are music instruments, wood masks.

Only the q'eqchies of Chisec, Lanquin and Cahabon use a fruit named "la fruta des morro" (the fruit of the nose) to make spoons and crates.

The communities of this ethnic group arrived to conserve their traditions, like the traditional dances.

The important vegetation and acheologic sites of Alta Verapaz and others departments are the places dor their magic and religious rituales.

Alta Verapaz is the only departement where the "mestizos" or ladinos speak the mayan language.