Cozumel, Mexico — The Foundation of Parks and Museums of Cozumel (FPMC) invites the general public to attend the conversation titled "The Goddess Ixchel, The Journey, and Its Canoeists," featuring Dr. Adolfo Iván Batún Alpuche, an archaeologist, as well as invited canoeists who will share their experiences and knowledge.
The event will take place on Thursday, May 8, at 7:00 PM in the auditorium of the Island Museum.
Preserving Ancestral Traditions
The conversation is part of the New Agreement for the Well-being and Development of Quintana Roo, promoted by Governor Mara Lezama Espinosa, to strengthen knowledge about one of the most emblematic rituals of Mayan culture: the Sacred Journey and the Oracle of the Goddess Ixchel. These ceremonies pay tribute to the goddess of fertility, love, and medicine.
Juanita Alonso Marrufo, the FPMC’s general director, highlighted the extensive career and expertise of Cozumel native Adolfo Iván Batún. He is an archaeologist trained at the Autonomous University of Yucatán and the University of Florida, where he also earned his doctorate in archaeology with a specialization in cultural resource management, complemented by a postdoctoral fellowship at Harvard University’s Dumbarton Oaks.
Academic and Practical Insights
Batún is a member of national and international archaeology and restoration associations and co-director of archaeological and ecological projects in Yucatán. His participation will bring deep academic and practical knowledge about the Mayan worldview, cultural heritage management, and the importance of preserving ancestral traditions, explained Isela Carrillo Cupul, director of the Island Museum.
The event will also include the participation of invited canoeists who have experienced the Sacred Journey firsthand. Their testimonies will provide an experiential perspective on the emotions, challenges, and spiritual significance of this pilgrimage, which recreates the ancient Mayans’ journey to Kuzamil (now Cozumel), the sanctuary of the Goddess Ixchel.
Strengthening Cultural Identity
Through this initiative, the FPMC promotes the preservation of Cozumel’s cultural identity by fostering spaces for reflection and learning. The goal is to raise awareness among new generations about the importance of valuing and keeping alive the traditions that form part of the island’s intangible heritage.
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