People And Society in El Salvador

The diversity so celebrated by other Central America countries is lacking here. The indigenous population, the Pipil Indians, were forced to give up their lands and work as labourers on the coffee plantations. By 1880’s the inhumane work conditions had wiped out most of the Indian population. The small percentage that managed to survive was brutally slaughtered by the government in 1932 when they were suspected of being involved in anti-government activities. Today, the Indian population forms a small, negligible portion of the total population that is more mestizo in their way than ladino. Traces of Indian culture can be found in some pockets in the western region of the country.

Majority of the population, 90% is mestizo (Spanish and Indian descent), about 9% of the population is of European descent and only 1% traces their ancestry to the indigenous population.

Religion

Christianity is the main religion. Majority of the population, about four-fifths of the population, is Roman Catholic while the remaining one-fifth are recently converted Protestants.

Language

Spanish is the popular medium of conversing though you’ll catch traces of Nahua in conversations.

Food

Tortillas and beans can be regarded as the national dish - they feature on every menu. Vegetarians are in for a tough time as meat is an essential ingredient in most dishes.

You can wash your food down with fruit shakes and a local soft drink called Kolashanpan. Of course, there’s coffee in plentiful. If you’re looking for something stronger, try Tic-tack, the local substitute for rum, made from sugarcane.