Cancun,
the jewel of the Mexican Caribbean, is proud to share Mayan
traditions with visitors from all over the world, including the most
recent holiday: the Day
of the Dead, also known as El Día de los Muertos.
Over
a backdrop of turquoise waters and white-sand beaches, the
destination celebrated with traditional vibrant colors, music and
mysticism that come with this elaborate and festive holiday.
“Hanal
Pixan,” Mayan for “Food for Souls,” is a traditional Mayan
holiday in which people come together to celebrate and remember their
friends and relatives who have passed away. This holiday is
celebrated on November 1 and 2 when, according to Mayan tradition,
souls receive permission to
visit their relatives.
Throughout
Mexico, El Día de los Muertos is one of the most important
celebrations and includes several rites, among them the decoration of
tombstones and graves with altars using items like embroidered table
cloths where the favorite foods of the deceased are placed. Among the
foods presented at the altars, the most important traditional meal is
the “pib,” a corn cake stuffed
with meat and spices cooked in an underground handmade oven.
Several
eco-archeological parks celebrated
the Day of the Dead including Xcaret, who hosted events to
honor the dead and celebrate this vibrant holiday. Xcaret also
featured presentations of “Life and Death celebrations” as well
as traditional altars, theater, music, dance, folk art and
gastronomy.
Alltournative
is another company committed to preserving Mayan heritage and
includes the celebrations for this unique holiday. On November 2,
Alltournative participated in the celebrations of the Tres Reyes
Mayan community where tourists and locals alike were able to witness
the different altars, savor and enjoy Day of the
Dead traditional meals and experience a magical ceremony where
Crisanto, a Mayan shaman of the community, invited the souls
of the dead to be a part of the celebrations.
The
Cancun Convention and Visitors Bureau welcomed visitors and locals
alike to take part in this mystical holiday celebration and invites
everyone to experience the upcoming celebrations of December 21, 2012
which marks the end of the Mayan calendar and the beginning of a new
era.
About Cancun
Cancun is located in the northern part of the southeastern Mexican state of Quintana Roo. It is Mexico’s number one tourist destination and is known all over the world for its spectacular beaches, unique beauty and breathtaking turquoise waters.
