Maya Culture Diminished to Tourist Crafts in Quintana Roo

Chetumal, Quintana Roo — On International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, Quintana Roo celebrated in its own peculiar way: by reducing Maya culture to a matter of handicrafts, reversing roles so that Caucasian Mayas “teach” darker-skinned Mayas how to make Mesoamerican dyes, and institutionalizing folkloric control over indigenous knowledge.

A Committee for Folkloric Control

In Chetumal, a committee was established to oversee what authorities deem “folk” and invented knowledge of Mayan identity in service of official power. Leading this effort is Lilian Villanueva Chan, a Chetumal aristocrat, who now presides over a Commission for Maya handicrafts and “knowledge.”

For the current government, Maya culture is little more than cross-stitch embroidery—something the elite would never display at their private gatherings—or a quaint souvenir from a land overrun by mosquitoes. This static, museum-like preservation of “Maya wisdom” does not require a committee to thrive but rather firm state commitments to policies combating structural inequality, fostering technology, scientific thinking in indigenous communities, and modern educational opportunities for the Maya people.

Villanueva Chan, a controversial figure in indigenous affairs—linked to missing skulls and supporting dubious Maya houses under the patronage of Tepich’s cacique—has concluded that Quintana Roo’s “indigenous problem” boils down to helping Mayas sell their crafts and sweetening the ears of conquering tourists.

Cultural Appropriation in the Mexican Caribbean

Meanwhile, another case of cultural appropriation has surfaced. Artist Luis May, originally from Dzan, Yucatán, accused foreign pseudo-researcher Anna Sofía Racansky of falsely presenting herself as an expert on Maya blue pigment, a color he spent years reviving in his workshop under the name azul ch’oj.

The dispute arose after Tulum’s mayor, Diego Castañón, shared a photo on social media featuring Racansky with the caption: “In Tulum, we believe rescuing what makes us unique also sows the future. I met with Anna Sofía Racansky, an artist who has dedicated her life to researching and recreating Maya blue, a color that painted pyramids, warriors, and the very history of our region.”

Though the post acknowledged Luis May’s contributions, his absence from the photo and the framing of Racansky as the primary expert drew criticism. May stated, “She only took two workshops with me and now uses my work to seek funding and support without my consent or knowledge.”

The incident reflects a broader pattern of disregard for Maya culture, where outsiders are elevated while local experts are sidelined.

A Call for Real Autonomy

The Maya people of Quintana Roo remain marginalized, their culture reduced to tourist-friendly artifacts rather than being recognized as a vital, living force deserving of true autonomy and modern opportunities. The state’s leadership continues to treat them as a conquered people, their identity frozen in time—a far cry from the dynamic, evolving culture that persists beyond government-sanctioned committees and folkloric displays.