The Guatemalan peace accord recognizes the institutions and local authorities of indigenous peoples, as well as their customs, common lands, and the "customary right" (common law) that structures intracommunity relations. However, it is difficult to define "customary right" and its applications and limits. A systematic study of traditional community rights and practices was carried out in Guatemalan towns and villages speaking six Mayan languages, two multilingual communities, and one that had lost its indigenous language. The study found the Mayan culture to be dynamic and adaptive, but it suffered great changes during the 1980s-90s when political violence and forced migration broke the social and political structure of indigenous communities. Urbanization and access to services, particularly education, have also been forces of change. Findings about Mayan culture, community structure and authority, and the role of the family are presented in these sections: the sacred as the basis of indigenous rights; the relationship between the community and nature; traditional intergenerational relationships and recent weakening of cultural transmission to youth; community "space" and community members' right to use common lands; the common good and the authority of the community assembly; community service as sacred obligation; systems of community authority, local government, and leadership qualities; the community basis of personal identity; reciprocity and communal work; barter of food and basic goods between villages; family responsibilities, nonformal education, and parent-child relationships; family formation and transition to adult responsibilities through marriage; behavioral norms and transgressions; definition of indigenous rights; cultural values of balance and harmony, respect, and justice; and relationships between the community and the State. (SV)