Elder Noorlander standing with Brother and Sister Cujcuj in Patsun, Guatemala.

Unfortunately, the tape described in the next column is missing. If you know of its whereabouts, please contact Elder and Sister Noorlander’s son.

Tomas Cujcuj was a member of the Patsun Branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His father and mother were Cakchiquel Indians who lived in the highlands of Guatemala.

Brother Cujcuj loved to play the violin that his father had made out of native wood. The violin still has the odor and smoke that filled his thatched adobe hut when his wife cooked his tortillas and beans. The violin is over 100 years old.

Brother Cujcuj learned to play many of the Latter-day Saints hymns from memory. Whenver a group of his friends gathered, brother Cujcuj played thier favorite tunes. His wife loved to dance to the rhythm of the violin in her bare feet on the dusty floor of their hut.

Tomas Cujcuj died in Patsun in 1975 at about 80 years of age. He was married in the Arizona temple and was buried in the temple garments he saved for this purpose.

The following story was originally taken off a tape and tells of brother Cujcuj’s life, his part in the Guatemala revolution, and how he joined the Church.

Elder Noorlander purchased the violin from his wife for $100 to help her with her financial problems after the death of her husband. The violin was taken to the U.S. by a returning missionary just before the Guatemala earthquake of 1976. This was fortunate because brother Cujcuj’s hut and everything in it was totally destroyed.

The tape of Tomas Cujcuj was recorded June 28, 1973 in the Patzicia Branch chapel.

It is hoped that through this history of Tomas Cujcuj and the music he played, you will have a little better appreciation of the beautiful Mayan culture and the children of Lehi.

Signed,
Brother and Sister Daniel Noorlander