Quintana Roo Opens 2026 Poetry Contest for Indigenous and Afro-Mexican Girls

Chetumal, Quintana Roo — Indigenous and Afro-Mexican girls across Quintana Roo can enter the 2026 edition of a state poetry contest that aims to promote writing in Mexico’s native languages and celebrate the identity, culture and traditions of the state’s communities.

The contest, held to mark the National Day of the Indigenous and Afro-Mexican Girl, is organized by INMAYA, the state institute for the development of the Maya people and Indigenous communities. Entrants will compete in two age groups.

Who Can Enter

The competition is open to Indigenous and Afro-Mexican girls who live in Quintana Roo. Organizers have divided participants into two categories:

• Category A: girls aged 5 to 9
• Category B: girls aged 10 to 12

Each entrant must submit a poem connected to the identity and cultural expressions of her community.

How to Participate

Girls must record a video of at least one minute in which they recite a poem. The recitation has to be delivered entirely in an Indigenous language, and the poem must address one of the themes set out in the contest rules: identity, culture, nature or community traditions.

Along with the video, entrants must submit a written version of the poem in the corresponding Indigenous language.

Prizes

Cash prizes will go to the top three finishers in each category:

• First place: 6,000 pesos
• Second place: 5,000 pesos
• Third place: 4,000 pesos

That adds up to six cash awards across the two categories. In the previous edition, INMAYA reported smaller prizes of 3,500 pesos for first place, 3,000 for second and 2,000 for third.

Key Dates

Registration closes on Nov. 6, 2026. A judging panel will meet on Nov. 11 to evaluate the entries, with results scheduled for publication on Nov. 13, 2026.

The awards ceremony is planned for Nov. 21 in the community of Tihosuco/Tuzik, in the municipality of Felipe Carrillo Puerto.

Required Documents

Families must submit paperwork for the entrant as well as for her mother, father or guardian. The file should include:

• A birth certificate or CURP (national ID number)
• Proof of address
• A letter of authorization signed by a parent or guardian
• A privacy notice
• The written poem in an Indigenous language
• The video of the recitation

Organizers urged families to confirm the file is complete before submitting an entry.

How to Register

INMAYA is offering several ways to request information and sign up. Families can message the institute on WhatsApp at 983 212 7117, call (983) 129 3242, extension 602, or email concursoninaindigenainmaya@gmail.com.

Applicants can also visit designated offices in person for guidance and to hand in documents. In Chetumal, the office is at Avenida Andrés Quintana Roo 221, on the corner of Primo de Verdad and Calle Roma. Assistance is also available in Felipe Carrillo Puerto, in the Leona Vicario neighborhood, and in Cancún at Supermanzana 04, Manzana 15, Lote 27, on Avenida Tulum.

Poetry as a Way to Preserve Native Languages

The contest uses poetry as a way for girls to share their identity and strengthen the use of Indigenous languages.

In the 2025 edition, INMAYA said participants submitted poems written in their native languages, and the awards ceremony was held on Nov. 21 in the community of Los Divorciados, in Bacalar. The 2026 edition again puts the participation of Indigenous and Afro-Mexican girls at the center of the program, along with expressions tied to their communities, nature, culture and traditions.