YUCATAN CULTURE: TRADITIONS, GASTRONOMY AND CHARACTERISTICS - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2025

The culture of Yucatán can be seen represented in its theaters, art galleries, libraries and museums. Particularly noteworthy is the contemporary art gallery called Museo de Arte Contemporáneo Ateneo de Yucatán (MACAY).

Yucatán has a great cultural attraction that has been highlighted thanks to the governmental effort and cooperation among its inhabitants to help conserve archaeological zones and colonial cities.

In addition, the Yucatecans have been in charge of highlighting their musical styles at a regional and national level. For example, the jarana is one of the native dances of the territory that sometimes accompanies them.

The mix between Hispanic influence and indigenous origin have characterized these cultural representations for several centuries.

You may also be interested in the typical traditions of Yucatan or its culture.

Yucatan cultural manifestations

1- Music

The music of Yucatán is known as the Yucatecan trova. This achieved great popularity at the beginning of the 20th century.

In the Yucatecan trova, the mixture of its rhythms stands out, among which are the bambuco, the bolero, the jarana, the clave, the joropo, the waltz and others.

2- Traditions and customs

Within the Yucatecan traditions we find the celebration of death, where the living pay homage to loved ones who have passed away.

This tradition is known as Hanaal Pixán, which means "food of the souls."

A kind of altar is placed that includes the photo of the deceased and Yucatecan dishes (especially the chicken mucbil), accompanied by candles and flowers.

This celebration takes place on November 1 and 2, as a symbol of true love for loved ones.

Yucatán also has funeral practices that are part of the customs of the region. However, some of these customs were imposed on the indigenous people by the Church.

The cha-chaac is a Mayan ceremony that has been performed for several centuries to ask Chaac (god of rain) to allow them to have a good harvest for years to come.

In regional festivals, people usually dance jaranas and do competitions to entertain themselves.

Some of its celebrations are the celebration of the dairy farms, the feast of the three kings, the feast of Santa Inés, carnivals and the day of the Immaculate Conception.

3- Art

The Yucatecans have kept the Mayan culture alive through their artistic diversity. They are known since pre-Hispanic times for their skill and skill in pottery.

It is very easy to find handmade Mayan art fabrics, large masks, sculptures and paintings. These pieces are almost always created to venerate and honor their ancestors.

4- Religion and beliefs

Since pre-Columbian times, cults, religion and beliefs were a reflection of mythology in popular thought.

It was a communication space between gods and men. There are still several peoples who venerate this polytheistic belief.

At present the Catholic religion is the predominant religion in Yucatan. However, there is also a large part of the population that is Protestant, such as Baptists and Presbyterians.

5- Gastronomy

Yucatecan gastronomy is based on a combination of smells and flavors of various ingredients such as limes, oranges, achiote, banana and pumpkin.

Among its culinary legacy are the following dishes: papadzules, panuchos, turkey in black stuffing, stuffed cheese, poc-chuc, cochinita pibil, lime soup, pibil chicken and pickled chicken.

References

1. Jakemann, Well. (1952). The Historical recollections of Gaspar Antonio Chi. An early souree account of Ancient Yucatan. Brigham Young University. Utah.
2. Jones, Grant. (1997). Anthropology and history in Yucatan. Austin, University of Texas Press.
3. Landa, Diego. (1978). Relationship of the things of Yucatan. Mexico, Editorial Porrúa.
4. López, Diego. (1957). Yucatan History. Mexico DF
5. Ramirez, Luis. (2002). Yucatan. Mexico. National Autonomous University of Mexico-Institute of Philological Research-Center for Mayan Studies.