Momostenango is a municipality in the Totonicapán department of Guatemala. The municipality is situated in the North-West of Totonicapán, in the Western highlands of Guatemala. 

Momostenango's population is predominantly of Maya K'iche' descent. 70% of the population lives in rural areas and most are small farmers growing maize, wheat, and beans for their own consumption.

The municipality is subdivided into the town of Momostenango, 14 villages and 169 smaller communities called caseríos or parajes.

Momostenango is the birthplace of the Maya K'iche' poet Humberto Ak'ab'al (1952- ), who writes in K'iche' (Quiché) and in Spanish.

Education
According to the Guatemalan Department of Education in 2004, only 47% of the overall population in Momostenango was literate, compared to around 65% nationwide. Factors such as the rural setting where inefficient road systems and extreme poverty negatively affect the indigenous population’s ability and desire to get educated, and furthermore cause high absence and drop-out rates. Totonicapán is within the 5 regions (or ‘departamentos’) in the country with the lowest net schooling rates, with middle school attendance as low as 17.99%, compared to the highest in the country of 48.14%. In 2004 the amounts of people attending school in Momostenango were approximately as follows:

Level # Students % Covered Age % Drop-Outs
Elementary 95 100 7-12

2.88
Middle School 13 20 13-15

4.21
High School 2 5 16-18

0.88

These numbers indicate that in this rural and 100%-indigenous community, both factors which together statistically increase illiteracy rates by very close to twice (and double yet again for women), once students are enrolled in school they strive to remain in school as the means for education are made available.

poverty levels
About 44% of the families in Momostenango live with a monthly income equal or less than 1,000 quetzals (~116 USD).  Based on Guatemalan standards, such income is considered below poverty level or even extreme poverty.  In most cases, such income is not sufficient to meet basic food, clothing, and household needs. 
According to the 2002 National Census, two out of three children perform agricultural labor for their families without pay.  Most of the physical activities are performed by boys, and the household chores by girls. 
In 2004, 55% of inhabitants lived in houses without flooring; evenly-leveled dirt was the typical replacement.  Adobe was the most commonly used structural material for households (67% of households), followed by block (31%).

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