Yucatán’s Janal Pixan: Feast Uniting Living & Dead

Tizimín, Yucatán — In the heart of the Mayan people, the Janal Pixan, or "food of the souls," is once again filling the patios of Yucatán with the aroma of pib, lit candles, and wildflowers. This ancestral tradition, deeply rooted in Yucatecan culture, is celebrated from October 31 to November 2 to honor the memory of the deceased who, according to belief, receive permission to visit their families during these days.

The first day, u janal palal, is dedicated to deceased children and is distinguished by the cheerful colors, sweets, and toys placed on the altars. The second, u janal nucuch uinicoob, honors deceased adults, while the third, u janal pixanoob, also known as misa pixan, culminates with a religious ceremony in the cemetery.

In each home, altars are meticulously prepared, adorned with candles, flowers of xpujuc and xtés, photographs, and the favorite dishes of the departed. Families share the traditional mucbipollo, also known as pib, a giant corn tamale filled with pork and chicken, cooked underground in stone ovens and covered with banana leaves.

Alongside it, jicamas, oranges, papaya sweets, and the sacred balché, a fermented drink symbolizing the link between the earthly and spiritual worlds, are offered. In many communities, the nights are illuminated with rows of lit candles along the stone walls and doorways of houses, to guide the path of the souls who visit and then depart.

A week later, the bix, the so-called "octave," is celebrated, where families simply repeat the prayers and meals, bidding farewell to the souls as they return to their eternal rest.

Although over time elements such as pan de muerto and sugar skulls from central Mexico have been incorporated, the Janal Pixan maintains its Mayan essence—an intimate tribute, full of aromas, colors, and faith, that reaffirms the respect and love of the Yucatecan people for their roots and for those who are no longer present, but who return each year to share the family table.