Rebirth of Mayan tradition and sacred journey in Mexico’s Riviera Maya

Playa del Carmen (Mexico) (EFE) – Ancient Mayan traditions, documented in codices, murals, and colonial chronicles such as “The Relation of the Things of Yucatán” by Fray Diego de Landa, are being recreated in the Riviera Maya as part of efforts to preserve the cultural heritage of southeastern Mexico.

Nearly 300 canoeists participated this weekend in the “Sacred Journey,” a nearly 60-kilometer journey between the ancient port of Polé and the island of Cuzamil—now Xcaret and Cozumel, respectively—which pays homage to Ixchel, the Mayan goddess of fertility and the moon.

The journey, which takes place over two days of more than 10 hours of navigation, seeks to revive a practice that was fundamental to trade and religious ceremonies of the ancient Mayans.

Salomón Bazbaz Lapidus, an intangible cultural heritage specialist and member of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Global Facilitators Network, explained that the Maya culture of navigation disappeared to the point that there were serious doubts about their knowledge of the subject.

“There was a time when there was doubt about whether the Maya were navigators; and now, we realize that they were indeed great navigators and that there was trade between the different Maya ports as far away as Progreso, in Yucatán (southern Mexico),” he noted.

According to the specialist, the “Sacred Journey,” which is currently considered a representation or “staging,” is based on years of exhaustive research that includes archaeological studies, codice analysis, and accounts from Spanish chroniclers.

According to Bazbaz, this effort is supported by the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) to ensure its historical accuracy.

Carlos Serrano, director of Cultural Heritage at Grupo Xcaret, explained to EFE that even the smallest details are taken care of in the performance, such as the type of clothing worn, the dances performed, the musical instruments, and the body paint worn by the canoeists and the entire cast.

Although the canoes used are not made of wood to preserve the environment, they are designed to replicate the characteristics of the original Mayan vessels.

While the canoeists’ participation requires great physical endurance and six months of constant preparation, for Daniel Cruz, a 62-year-old agricultural engineer from the community of Leona Vicario, near Cancún, the most important thing is mental and spiritual strength.

“Your mind doesn’t want you to keep paddling because everything hurts, you get tired, and at that moment the only thing you have is your mind and your heart,” explained the engineer, who is already preparing for retirement.

María del Carmen Pérez, another veteran participant, shared her perspective on the personal impact of the journey.

“It’s beautiful to be out there in the middle of the sea. You enter and exit into many thoughts, nothing can compare to that; it’s worth it a thousand times over,” he stated.

In addition to the physical effort, the journey seeks to connect new generations with their cultural roots, strengthening the sense of identity and belonging of the local communities in the Riviera Maya.