*UPDATE*
SEE BELOW for the FULL Sacred Mayan Journey Program
May 20, 21 & 22, 2010.
Xcaret * Cozumel * Playa del Carmen
Chilam Balam de Chumayel
May 20, 2010.
Xcaret Park
Cemetery’s Gate / Esplanade
5:45 to 6:30 PM
Guests move to Ancient Mayan marketplace, where they may exchange their modern money for the coinage of yesteryear to interact with pre-Hispanic merchants.
Archaeological Zone, at the crossroads
6:00 to 7:30 PM
Visit the Mayan pre-Hispanic Interactive Market “Mayan’s and Trade: the Kii’wik, a trip to the past”
A recreation of a Kii’wik of the Late Post Classic Period, with its blend of colors, aromas, flavors and the variety of our ancient Mexico, is the prelude to this year’s Sacred Journey. This was a major port of call on the Mayan maritime trade routes and the point of departure for Cozumel, sanctuary of
the goddess Ixchel.
Like in the times of the ancient Maya, a place to interact with merchandise, the elements and famous people of the time; this is a recreation of merchants trading cotton blankets, jade, seashells, corn, feathers, animals, salt, copal, fruit, honey and cacao seeds along with other products.
Oratories, Avenida Palmeras.
Upon leaving the Kii’wik, each participant will walk barefoot along the oratory path to be purified with copal incense before arriving at Polé, ancient Xcaret, where he or she will be welcomed by the townspeople.
Dos Playas
8:00 to 8:20 PM
Inaugural Ceremony of the Sacred Mayan Journey.
8:20 to 9:15 PM
Part 1. The Sacred Mayan Journey: “The Seven Communities arrive at Polé”.
Part 1. The entire village prepares for the arrival of the seven communities in their canoes. Dozens of canoes have come to Polé from Acalán, Conil, Ochtankah, Zamá, Xcambó, Xamanhá and Ichpatun to pay homage to the goddess Ixchel at her sanctuary on the island of swallows with offerings and
petitions, preceded by ancient rituals, purification and dances in honor of Ixchel.
Cemetery’s Gate / Esplanade
Exit
9:15 to 10:00 PM Event ends and guests leave.
May 21, 2010
Xcaret Park
Dos Playas
5:30 AM.
Part 2. The Sacred Mayan Journey: “Departure of the Seven Communities from Polé toward Cuzamil.”
With the first rays of sunlight, Chamans—the Bataoobs—from Polé-Xcaret and from Xamanhá-Playa del Carmen bid farewell to the oarsmen as they departure for Cuzamil-Cozumel to worship the goddess Ixchel.
6:00 AM
The oarsmen—the messengers to Cuzamil—start the crossing to venerate the goddess Ixchel.
May 21, 2010
Cozumel
Caletita –Next to the Lighthouse
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Part 3. The Sacred Mayan Journey: “Playa de Cuzamil, the oarsmen of the Seven Communities arrive.”
Canoes arrive at Cuzamil-Cozumel; islanders receive the weary travelers, comforting them with cool drinks and food.
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Theme Market Day, Cozumel. Food and music to entertain the oarsmen and
their families. Food and drink at economical prices.
Cozumel
Caletita –Next to the Lighthouse
8:00 PM
Part 4. The Sacred Mayan Crossing: “Ixchel speaks to the Seven
Communities; Chankanab or Caletitas at night.”
Oarsmen present offerings and petitions to Ixchel. Message to the Seven
Communities from Ixchel’s Oracle; worship and dances at the Oracle offered
by inhabitants of the village of Cuzamil.
May 22, 2010
Cozumel
Caletita –Next to the Lighthouse
5:30 AM
Part 5. The Sacred Mayan Journey: “Dawn, Caletitas: farewell to the
messengers from the Seven Communities.”
Farewell ceremony and departure of oarsmen from Cuzamil-Cozumel for
Xamanhá-Playa del Carmen. Ceremony led by the Chilam of Cozumel with
his entourage and islanders.
Playa del Carmen
Beach Ferry Dock / Playa Fundadores
12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Part 6. The Sacred Mayan Journey: “Arrival of the Seven
Communities and delivery of the message to the people of Xamanhá.”
Arrival of the canoes from the Seven Communities at Xamanhá. Welcome by
“Bataoobs” from Polé-Xcaret and Xamanhá-Playa del Carmen. Dances of joy
to welcome the newly arrived oarsmen and thanks offered to the goddess
Ixchel.
Oarsmen deliver the message from Ixchel to the People of Xamanhá.
10:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Theme Market Day for communities from the Mayan Zone of Solidarity County.
Offered by Solidaridad County and La Ceiba Park. TO BE CONFIRMED.
2:00 to 2:20 PM
Closing ceremony of the Sacred Mayan Journey
* This Saturday April 17th, marks the first canoe race of the annual Sacred Mayan Journey celebration. These canoeists, whom have been training for 4 months, will travel from Xcaret to Mamitas Beach Club
An astounding 30 handmade 26-foot canoes will cross the sea to Cozumel in the historicTravesía Sagrada Maya, or Mayan Sacred Journey, the main event, which will be held on May 20, 21st and 22nd.
This celebrated three-day reenactment brings to life the ancient, mystical journey taken by the Maya in their quest to pay tribute to the Goddess Ix Chel, whose sanctuary rests on the island.
This year's journey starts in Polé, or Xcaret, on the mainland from where canoes, carefully crafted to match traditional vessels, launch for the seven-hour, 17-mile paddling journey across the channel to Cozumel.
The site of 30 handmade massive canoes approaching the island on the horizon is hard to forget.
Once on shore in Cozumel, participants make offerings and perform ceremonies for Ix Chel around the lagoon at Chankanaab Park.
They revive ancient practices with rituals, dances and music to provide an enriching experience.
Those within ear shot if the ceremony will hear Mayan myths and heroic legends and learn about the ancient civilizations’ sophisticated trade, numerology and navigation.
Continuing the ceremony into the morning, participants lay down their final offerings to the Goddess of Fertility to ensure they bring her favor with them as they embark on the seven-hour return.
The Mayan Sacred Journey began three years ago and aims to reawaken interest from locals and educate visitors about this ancient culture.
When visiting Cozumel, you are not just vacationing in Mexico; you are laying foot on a land that is home one of the world’s oldest civilizations.
