Cultural Heritages of Quintana Roo

Cultural Heritages of Quintana Roo

Archaeological Site: El Rey

Country: Mexico

State: Quintana Roo

Community: Benito Juarez

Location: Cancun

Archeological site from the pre-Columbian Mayan culture.

Early classical period (250-600 AD)

It is formed by 47 structures that had profane and religious functions.

It has been found wall painting leftovers and drawings associates to the mayan ritual from the postclassical period.

Xcaret

Country: Mexico

State: Quintana Roo

Community: Solidaridad

Location: Playa Del Carmen

It was an important Mayan village before the arrival of the Spanish conquerors in the XVI century. For the Mayan civilization, this place was an important harbor and a commercial centre in which there are some archeological traces (vestiges).

Xcaret celebrates the traditional “Day of Dead” with the “Life and Death Festival” incorporating the cultural diversity of this Mexican tradition with the participation of the people, visitors, Mayan communities and some artists. Considered intangible cultural heritage by the UNESCO.

Maya Pax Music

Language: Spanish

Country: Mexico

State: Quintana Roo

Community: Felipe Carrillo Puerto

Location: Felipe Carrillo Puerto

As a dance-musical expression from the Mayan communities, it is practiced the traditional “Mayapax” in Felipe Carrillo Puerto and Jose Maria Morelos. The musical groups are integrated by two violins, one little drum and by one big drum. In the past, the instruments were made by the musicians, but nowadays they only make drums. For the drums, the have to follow a ritual that consists of making a request to the gods for cutting a red cedar tree, take care while the confection of the shavings, and when this process is done; present it to the holy father of the church to neutralize the bad spirits, that by nature –is thought- the live inside the instrument. The drum has some special rule for using it. The musical pieces that they dance are “el pichito” “la angaripola”, “el toro grande” y some other songs. The dance has a ritual nature and it is prayed during the celebrations in honor to the saint of the community. The movement of the arms and hands is more important that the feet.

Ceremonial Centre of Felipe Carrillo Puerto

Language: Spanish

Country:  Mexico

State: Quintana Roo

Community: Felipe Carrillo Puerto

Location: Felipe Carrillo Puerto

Mayan zone from the state of Quintana Roo, rich in culture and history. In this place, militant movement had their most important effects. It is here when the Mayan people fought the General Bravo´s army, and when the Mayan people joined around to the “Cruz Parlante”. It emerged the Mayan Ceremonial Centre that organized the social life of the Mayas. This ceremonial centre still exists, and it conforms the Mayan authorities and it is the center of the traditions of Quintana Roo.

Translated by Guillermo Gonzalez