If you are planning on coming to Cancun for your dental implant appointment at the end of October or early November you might like to know about this amazing event you can attend. You must have heard before about the Mexican tradition of “Día de Muertos” (“Day of the Dead“). This centuries old festivity took influence from both Native and Catholic culture after the Spanish Conquest of what is now Mexico. Death had always been a prominent motif on prehispanic cultures (Aztecs mainly) with the use of skulls, flowers and altars to honor the dead. Even then, there is slight variations on every part of the country, specially on the Yucatan Península.
The Yucatan Peninsula was not habited by Aztecs, but by Mayan communities. They had a different outlook and traditions with their own version of the Day of the Dead called Hanal Pixan or “Feast of the Souls“. While the most commonly known Day of the Dead takes place only on the 2nd of November, Hanal Pixan takes place all over the week leading to that day. People would start creating and decorating their altars, prepare special regional meals and celebrate both the souls of children and adults on different days.
This fascinating spiritual complexity is the reason why the Festival of Life and Death Traditions started 10 years ago on Xcaret. The festival is a perfect chance to immerse yourself on Mexico and its culture. The festival brings people from all around the country to show their own traditions, dances, music and even plays that revolve around Life and Death.
The festival takes place on Xcaret‘s park grounds in the afternoon up until around midnight during the 30th and 31st of October, and the 1st and 2nd of November. That’s one heck of a way to spend Halloween! It would certainly be a perfect opportunity to visit while you are on your dental vacation in Cancun. If you want to know more about our services call toll free from USA and Canada 1-800-701-6039, or if you are already on vacation in Cancun and want to meet us, you can call us for an appointment at the following local number (998) 1-40-51-25.
Visit the official site in Spanish. The site in English and its program has not been fully updated yet with this year’s activities but you can check most of the specifics here.