QUINTANA ROO CULTURE: MOST RELEVANT CHARACTERISTICS - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2025

The culture of Quintana Roo derives from the mixture of the ancient traditions of the Mayan indigenous people who inhabited the peninsula with the colonialist Spanish customs and those of other peoples belonging to the Caribbean, such as Cuba and Belize.

Quintana Roo belonged to Yucatán. It was in 1974 that it was established as an independent state.

Cozumel Carnival in Quintana Roo

It is one of the youngest entities in Mexico, its capital is Chetumal and its most populated city is Cancun.

The peninsular state is located in the southeastern region of the country, in the Yucatan peninsula.

It limits to the north with Yucatán and the Gulf of Mexico, to the south with Belize, to the east with the Caribbean Sea and to the west with Campeche.

You may also be interested in the history of Quintana Roo or its traditions.

The 7 main cultural manifestations of Quintana Roo

The geographical region currently occupied by Quinta Roo was the settlement of the ancient Mayan people. Its most outstanding traditions and customs derive from this civilization, the pride of its inhabitants.

Likewise, the neighborhood with Yucatan and the Caribbean countries influences the cultural diversity that characterizes it.

1- The mayapax

Mayapax is a type of music that combines elements of the Mayan and Spanish cultures. It is considered one of the most valuable expressions of the feelings of the Quintana Roo people.

Its instrumentation includes violin, harmonica, snare, bass drum, cowbell, and idiophones, specifically turtle shells.

The sounds of the Mayapax harmonize the typical days of the celebrations in the state.

2- The Hanal Pixán

This celebration also called "Food of the souls" is held in commemoration of the day of the dead, between October 31 to November 2.

It begins with the elaboration of tablecloths, clay dishes and candles that will adorn the banquet table. The house is also cleaned so that the souls that arrive on those days do not have to.

3- Traditional festivals

The traditional religious festivals of Quintana Roo are palpable samples of the Mayan legacy in honor of the ancient gods worshiped by this culture.

Such is the case of the Santa Cruz festivities and the Cedral fair, a religious-cultural festival that takes place between April 29 and May 3.

From the religious point of view, it commemorates the day of the Holy Cross during the Caste War in 1848.

Culturally, it is a series of events in which the typical activities of the region are exposed: livestock, gastronomic, artisanal and artistic, among many others.

4- The Cozumel Carnival

This festival with more than 140 years of tradition is one of the most representative cultural expressions in the state.

Thanks to its social and economic impact, it enjoys great national and international projection.

The theatrical satire Guaranducha Cozumeleña, the coplist comparsas, the parodies of Cozumel and the representation of the Wakax-Ché bull are some of the cultural contributions that adorn the carnestolenda season in Quintana Roo and Cozumel.

5- Caribbean Culture Festival

In November the nations of the Caribbean converge culturally in this celebration.

It is celebrated in all the municipalities of the state and involves the exchange of different cultural artistic manifestations: musical, dance, theatrical, gastronomic and literary.

6- Typical dances

Originally from the neighboring peninsular state of Yucatán, the traditional dances of Quintana Roo are colorful, happy and loaded with great spirituality.

Among these celebrations the following stand out: the Yucatecan jarana, the ribbon dance, the pig's head dance, the chicleros dance, the male sambay and the Quintana Roo parade.

7- Gastronomy

The gastronomy of Quintana Roo has been powerfully influenced by the renowned Yucatecan culture.

The most outstanding dishes are the cochinita pibil, papadzules, panuchos, salbutes and a wide variety of ceviches and preparations based on seafood and fruits from the Caribbean Sea.

You may also be interested in the typical dishes of Quintana Roo.

References

1. Culture. (sf). Retrieved on November 5, 2017 from: qroo.gob.mx
2. Culture of Quintana Roo. (sf). Retrieved on November 5, 2017 from: explorandomexico.com.mx
3. Quintana Roo. (December 3, 2014). In: britannica.com
4. Quintana Roo. (sf). Retrieved on November 5, 2017 from: nationsencyclopedia.com
5. Quintana Roo. (sf) Retrieved on November 5, 2017 from: siglo.inafed.gob.mx.
6. Quintana Roo. (October 30, 2017). From: es.wikipedia.org