Day of the dead celebration in pomuch, campeche

How is the Day of the Dead celebrated in Pomuch, Campeche?

The Day of the Dead celebration in Pomuch, Campeche, is known as Hanal Pixán or “food of the souls." This festivity is linked to the belief that when someone dies, their soul is allowed to be among us from late October until early November.

While November 1 and 2 are the most popular dates, starting October 28 souls begin to descend into this world. On this day, tribute is paid to those who died tragically, while October 30 and 31 are dedicated to children who died without being baptized. According to the Catholic calendar, November 1 is All Saints’ Day and is dedicated to children; while November 2, known as Day of the Dead, honors all deceased adults.

If you plan to visit the state during this time, keep in mind that with car rental in Campeche you can fully experience the Day of the Dead celebration in Pomuch and also visit emblematic places of the state such as San Francisco de Campeche, Palizada, Becal, Calkiní, Hecelchakán, Balamkú, Hopelchén, the Xtacumbilxunaan Caves, among other beautiful destinations in Campeche.

Day of the Dead: what is the link with death in Pomuch?

In Pomuch, the relationship with death goes far beyond the Day of the Dead. The bond begins with the suffering of an illness and extends until there is no one left to remember the deceased. For the residents of Pomuch, death is not an absolute end; rather, it is a transition expected when illness is incurable. The community prays for death to take their loved ones as a form of release.

The most distinctive tradition of the Day of the Dead in Pomuch is the annual ritual of cleaning the Holy Remains, a practice that reflects the deep respect and ongoing connection with the deceased in the daily life of the town.

What does the Day of the Dead celebration in Pomuch consist of?

Before delving into the Day of the Dead celebration in Pomuch, it’s important to understand how this festivity originated and why it is so special in Mexico.

While in much of the world this date is marked by sadness, in Mexico it’s wrapped in a colorful celebration and a welcome to the departed, who are believed to return to our world for a day.

To understand the origin of Mexico’s Day of the Dead, we must go back to Mesoamerica thousands of years ago. Some indigenous peoples held ceremonies to guide the dead on their journey to Mictlán, the underworld of Mexica mythology; others erected altars with offerings to remember the deceased. For these peoples, bones symbolized, in some way, the seed of life.

Thousands of years later, millions of Mexican households continue to carefully prepare their altars, adorned with symbols, food, papel picado, and photographs of the departed. This act of remembrance helps guide the souls back home to reunite with their loved ones and enjoy the offerings prepared in their honor.

Every year, just before November 1, the cemetery of Pomuch becomes a stage of colorful homage, where families gather to pay tribute to their loved ones in a unique way. Niches are transformed into vibrant mosaics of green, pink, blue, and violet. These small spaces, decorated with flower drawings, doves, crosses, and handwritten names, present a distinctive look with iron doors in some cases or simple bouquets in others.

The reason for this uniqueness lies in the fact that inside these niches rest the bones of the deceased, which are carefully removed and cleaned by their relatives shortly before the Day of the Dead. In Pomuch, an ancestral tradition is preserved in which, three years after burial, the bones of the deceased are unearthed, meticulously cleaned, and placed in small boxes.

Traditions for the Day of the Dead in Pomuch

Known as "food of the souls," Hanal Pixán is a Mayan tradition celebrated from October 31 to November 2. During these days, traditional food is offered to the deceased in towns and cities of the Yucatán Peninsula.

The first day, known as "Hanal Palal," is dedicated to children, while the second day, "Hanal Nucuch Uinicoob," honors adults. Finally, the third day, called "Hanal Pixanoob," is celebrated with a mass in honor of the souls, usually held at the main cemetery of each town.

What are the traditions of Hanal Pixán in Pomuch?

Hanal Pixán, the Mayan festivity honoring the dead, includes several traditional rites that reflect the community’s respect and devotion.

Children’s altar: the first day is dedicated to deceased children. The altars are decorated with brightly colored embroidered cloths and adorned with food, sweets, toys, yellow xpujuc flowers, red xtés, and virginias.

Adults’ altar: the second day honors deceased adults. The altars are lit with wax candles and decorated with flowers, rue branches, photographs, and typical foods.

Bix: this rite is celebrated eight days after Hanal Pixán. Rows of candles are lit at the doors of homes to guide the souls back home at the end of the festival.

Gastronomic dishes play a central role during the Day of the Dead in Pomuch. The culinary offering has as its main dish pibipollo, cooked in a traditional pib, an underground oven that uses the heat of fire stones, covered with sand and branches for cooking.

Pibipollo is a dough filled with chicken, pork, or turkey meat, along with vegetables and a red sauce known as k’óol. This food has special meaning on this day, as the bread and its filling symbolize the deceased, while the banana leaves wrapping the pibipollo act as a shroud. After cooking, these delicacies are placed on altars and, after receiving the approval of the departed, are shared and enjoyed in the celebration.

These rites and foods not only honor those who are no longer here during the Day of the Dead in Pomuch but also celebrate life and the continuity of ancestral traditions in the Yucatán region.

Remember that if you plan to travel through Campeche and experience the Day of the Dead celebrations, the best option is car rental. Wherever you want to go, having your own vehicle will give you the freedom to explore the places you want at your own pace. Discover the best places in Mexico to visit during the Day of the Dead and learn even more about Mexican traditions!