Mexico Bans New Year’s Doll Burning Tradition Over Safety Risks

CHETUMAL, QR. – Due to the risk it represents, the municipal coordinator of Civil Protection, Omar Echazarreta Magaña, warned that the burning of “Año Viejo” dolls is prohibited in Othón P. Blanco, with or without explosive fireworks.

He indicated that this is a non-permitted activity, especially in public roads, both in the state capital and in rural communities.

He recalled that last year, although the practice was prohibited, some people tried to argue that they were conducting a symbolic burning without fireworks; however, in most cases detonating devices were detected, which led to seizures and reports through the emergency number 911.

He specified that the burning of this type of doll is considered an administrative offense, and that the Municipal General Directorate of Public Security determines the sanction according to the severity of the act.

He noted that in rural communities, during patrols and operations, New Year’s dolls have been detected inside homes. He clarified that personnel cannot enter residences, so only an exhortation is made to avoid burning explosive devices. He added that the number of cases is minimal compared to other years.

Operations Against New Year Dolls in Urban and Rural Areas

Echazarreta Magaña mentioned that in the city, operations are carried out in coordination with other municipal authorities to detect and, if necessary, prevent the burning of New Year dolls. The actions will be reinforced on December 31, during the afternoon and night, since incineration is usually done at midnight. The neighborhoods where this practice has been detected in previous years are Solidaridad, Proterritorio and López Mateos.

The prohibition of this tradition has contributed to the decrease of accidents on public roads and in homes, such as injured people or fires.

He indicated that, so far during the Christmas and New Year season, the Othón P. Blanco City Council has seized more than 15 kilograms of explosive fireworks at four points of sale, for which the corresponding administrative procedures have been initiated.

The Directorate of Inspection, Regulations and Public Roads reported that fines or economic sanctions for this offense can reach up to 50,000 pesos.

In towns such as Huatusco, in the municipality of Bacalar, a New Year doll has already been made and placed in the main park, which was given the name “El Chico Malo 2025.”

Tradition and Risks of New Year Dolls

The burning is carried out on December 31 at 24:00 hours. Previously, New Year dolls were placed at the doors of homes from December 28; currently, due to operations, they are installed hours or minutes before their incineration. The tradition, due to the risk it implies, has been declining.

The belief establishes that this practice symbolizes the negative aspects of the year that ends and represents a renewal for the one that begins. Its historical antecedents date back to classical Greece, where rulers were incinerated upon death as a symbol of the end of their mandate.

In Mexico, the tradition had greater presence in southeastern states such as Chiapas, Veracruz, Tabasco, Campeche, Yucatán and Quintana Roo.

Making of New Year Dolls

During the manufacturing process, old or disused clothing is used, such as pants, shirts, shoes, caps or hats, in addition to other decorative elements. The head is usually made of fabric, and white beard is used to resemble an elderly person.

The filling can be made of fabric scraps, plush, paper or sawdust. As the New Year doll is being filled, some people place fireworks inside.

The garments must be sewn to prevent the filling from coming out. The head and hands can be made with fabric, stuffed stockings, paper or cardboard. The design varies according to the desired representation.

To light them, some people use fuels such as gasoline or alcohol, which increases the risk of accidents.