This research focuses on attempts by Mayan peoples in Guatemala to create a civil, multicultural, and all encompassing state in the context of 35 year civil war. Recently there has been an increase in the number of Mayan groups who are attempting to define themselves in the context of a multicultural state and, at the same, time maintain some sense of ethnic identity. The key issue the PI hopes to illuminate is the fact that states consist of a variety of interest groups which compete and cooperate as they struggle to articulate some form of a national identity. This process will be examined by interviewing leaders in government, business, military, and ethnic sectors and analyzing their statements presented i the media, at festivals, tourism literature, and political rallies.
