Unleash Your Creativity at Janal Pixan Altar Contest in Tulum!

Casa Itzamná, along with representatives from local Maya villages, are inviting the public to participate in a traditional altar competition. This event is part of the Janal Pixan celebration and will take place on November 3rd in Chanchén I, located in Tulum's Maya Zone.

The festivities will commence with the installation of altars and small houses, constructed from vine, palms, and wood, in the heart of the town. This event is open to everyone, including residents of Tulum, the wider Quintana Roo area, and tourists. Participation is free, and attendees are encouraged to form groups of four or more, with no maximum limit.

The aim of this event is to engage young people and instill a sense of pride in their traditions. They are also encouraged to seek guidance from older community members to help preserve their culture, fostering a sense of pride and establishing a generational legacy that highlights these ancient practices.

As the sun begins to set around 16:30, attendees can start to arrive. The top three altar designs will be awarded prizes of 5,000, 3,000, and 2,000 pesos respectively.

The altars will be adorned with flowers and candles, and equipped with items that the deceased enjoyed in life, such as their favorite foods, representations of their backyard animals, and a depiction of the well from which they drew water.

A representation of a graveyard with traditional crosses will also be included. A rigid cross signifies that the deceased has not completely departed, while a "leaning" cross signifies that they have moved on.

The altars will be structured on three levels, representing the sky, the earth, and the underworld. The sky level will feature toys, candies, and flowers for children who have passed on. The earth level will host food offerings in nine bowls, summoning the lord of the underworld. Traditional foods such as tamales, sweet pumpkin, black stuffing, and cochinita pibil will be present.

The third level, representing the underworld, will feature desserts like peanut and seed brittle. Essential items like a tub, soap, and a towel will be placed in the lower section, symbolizing the bathing needs of the deceased.

Young participants will explain the significance of these altars in the Maya language while making hand-made tortillas, thus helping to preserve their culture. A jury will tour each altar, assessing and ranking the top three.

Casa Itzamná's initiative brings Mayan culture to the forefront, demonstrating that it is alive and thriving. Attendees wishing to participate can contribute a candle, incense, or a flower to the offerings.