Maya Embroidery Art Shines at Gran Museo Exhibit

Mérida, Yucatán — The Gran Museo del Mundo Maya welcomed over 1,300 visitors on May 20, 2025, as families, tourists, and artisans from across the state gathered to celebrate International Museum Day. The highlight of the event was the opening of the temporary exhibition Kili’ich chuuyo’ob: bordado maya ritual (Radiant Needles: Ritual Maya Embroidery), which explores the deep connection between Maya embroidery and communal ritual practices.

A Celebration of Maya Culture and Tradition

The exhibition showcases a collection of textiles integral to the cosmovision of the Maya people, including embroidered banners of saints and guilds, religious vows, cloths used in birth and baptism ceremonies, funeral shrouds, traditional ternos and hipiles, bullfighters' capes, and other ceremonial garments. These pieces offer a window into the living artistry and spiritual practices of contemporary Maya communities.

Curated to emphasize the museum’s role as a hub for regional cultural education, Kili’ich chuuyo’ob will remain open to the public until August 30, 2025.

Upcoming Events

Additional activities are scheduled to extend the International Museum Day celebrations:

• May 26, 2025, 11:00 AM – A screening of the documentary Kili’ich chuuyo’ob: bordado maya ritual in Multipurpose Rooms 1 and 2, featuring insights from master embroiderers Leydi Jiménez Bojórquez and Lorena Zapata, as well as Andy Interián, promoter of the Tienda Museo del Bordado in Maní.
• May 29, 2025, 11:00 AM – A panel discussion titled The Museum: A Space for Community Engagement and Dialogue in Multipurpose Room 3.

The Gran Museo del Mundo Maya continues to serve as a vital institution for preserving and sharing the rich cultural heritage of the Yucatán Peninsula.