The Sacred Mayan Journey

Xcaret in modern days is a popular eco-park for families visiting Cancun and the Riviera Maya.  With its beautiful flora and fauna, calm lagoons for snorkeling and spectacular views of the sea, it’s easy to see why thousands of travellers visit Xcaret every year, it’s a promise of a day of adventure and relaxation in paradise.

For the ancient Maya, the land where Xcaret now stands was more than just a beautiful spot to spend the day, it was an important port, trading post and meeting place called “Ppolé¨.  Ppolé was most famous as the departure point for pilgrimages to the island of Cozumel to honour Ixchel, goddess of the moon and fertility.  Crossing 50 kms of ocean from the mainland to the island in hand-carved canoes, the journey was a demonstration of skill, dedication and faith for the Mayans participating in the event.

In 2007, the ¨Sacred Mayan Journey¨ (¨Travesia Sagrada¨) was revived, recreated to honour and preserve the rich history of the region and the Mayan people.  This year the event will be held May 20-22, 2010 with hundreds of people participating in this grand spectacle.  The festivities begin May 20 at 5:45 pm at Xcaret with a welcome to guests, a recreated marketplace (participants can exchange modern currency for the pre-Hispanic coin) and a ceremony with offerings, purifications and dancing.  Bright and early on the morning of May 21st, the rowers will make their way to Dos Playas beach at Xcaret to start their incredible journey with a ceremony.  The canoes carrying the “messengers” will land on Cozumel in the afternoon where they will be welcomed by islanders with cool drinks, food and celebration.  In the evening offerings and petitions will be presented to Ixchel, with worship and dances from the people of Cozumel.  On the morning of May 22nd the messengers depart Cozumel for the journey back to the mainland.  In the afternoon, they will be met in Playa del Carmen for a final closing ceremony, with plenty of dancing and celebration and praise for the goddess Ixchel.

The Sacred Mayan Journey is a united effort of government and private organizations coming together to recover one of the most significant traditions of the Maya and to revive interest in the local history and culture.  Dtraveller wishes all the participants a safe journey and hope that visitors to the Riviera Maya will have an opportunity to witness this incredible event.  Ka xi’ik teech utsil (Maya for “good luck to you!”) at Xcaret!

–photos courtesy Travesia Sagrada Maya