“Travesía Sagrada Maya” in May
The Sacred Mayan Journey, “Travesía Sagrada Maya,” is a cultural event that re-enacts an ancient Mayan pilgrimage. This ritual occurs annually. In 2024, the event is scheduled for May 17th and 18th.
The journey starts at Xcaret, a cultural amusement park in Playa del Carmen, which serves as the mainland home for the event. Participants prepare and launch traditional canoes to cross Cozumel’s western shore. This crossing is a tribute to the goddess Ixchel, a pre-Hispanic diety associated with fertility, the moon, and gestation.
The Sacred Mayan Journey is a tribute to the goddess Ixchel, a pre-Hispanic deity associated with fertility, the moon, and gestation. Photo courtesy of Tania Scales.
The Maya were a Mesoamerican civilization that occupied a vast area covering southeast Mexico, as well as the Central American countries of Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, and El Salvador. The Maya were one of the greatest civilizations in the Western Hemisphere, known for their achievements in various fields and rich cultural heritage They left behind a legacy of impressive architecture, intricate writing systems, and a deep understanding of astronomy and timekeeping.
Origins and Early Development
As early as 1500 BCE, the Maya settled in villages and developed an agriculture system based on cultivating corn (maize), beans, and squash. They began building ceremonial centers, eventually becoming cities containing temples, pyramids, palaces, courts for playing ball, and plazas.
The Maya quarried immense quantities of building stone (usually limestone) and practiced mainly slash-and-burn agriculture while using advanced techniques of irrigation and terracing.
They developed a system of hieroglyphic writing and sophisticated calendrical and astronomical systems. The Mayans made paper from the inner bark of wild fig trees and wrote their hieroglyphs in books from this paper, known as codices.
Peak Civilization
Between 300 and 900 CE, the Maya civilization reached its peak. They built impressive cities, including famous ones like Tikal in Guatemala. These cities contained palaces, temples, plazas, and ball courts. The Maya were skilled in various fields, including agriculture, architecture, writing, and art.
Decline and Collapse
Around 900 CE, many Maya cities were abandoned, and the civilization declined. The reasons for this decline are still debated but likely include factors such as environmental changes, warfare, and social upheaval.
Despite the decline of the classical civilization, the Maya continued to live in the region, and their descendants still inhabit parts of Mexico, Guatemala, and other areas.
Visit Playa del Carmen or Cozumel
The Sacred Mayan Journey, “Travesía Sagrada Maya,” offers a glimpse into the rich history and traditions of the Mayan people. If you are in Playa del Carmen or Cozumel during this time, it is an experience not to be missed!
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