Cozumel Culture
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The people of Cozumel blend the
tradition of Mexico with the soul of the Caribbean. The people
are friendly and aim to make visitors feel welcome. One major
cultural factor is their relaxed nature. Not much importance
is placed on time as most appointments tend to start a half-hour
later than the agreed upon time. When visiting, be sure to observe
siesta (a time to rest between 1 and 4pm daily) so that you
can extend your bed time and enjoy a later supper and |
dance well into the early morning.
Cozumel has always been a center for trade and navigation, but
ancient Mayans regarded the island as a very sacred place. You will
see many Mayan remains all over the island depicting Ixchel, the
deity of the moon, pregnancy and childbirth. During 600 –
1200 A.D. female Mayans from the mainland would make the dangerous
pilgrimage to Cozumel via canoes to worship Ixchel at least once
in their life.
Cozumel natives are still tied to their past and partake in traditional
ceremonial dance and festivities. One such festival, Baile de las
Cabezas de Cochino (Dance of the Pig’s Head), is over a century
old and takes place every year from April – May 3. Dressed
in traditional, brightly colored, hand-embroidered clothing, natives
provide a pig as a sacrificial offering to God. The Mayan’s
believe that God helped them win the War of the Castes in the 19th
century and have been thanking him ever since.
There are many other popular festivals throughout the year that
really combine the rich character and traditions of the Cozumel
people with Catholic rituals. Two good examples are Carnival, the
religious rites of Easter week and San Miguel in September.
More Information:
 www.state.gov
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