The pilgrimage concluded after a day of travel
This Saturday, the 312 canoeists who left on Friday, May 24, returned to the port of Polé (where the Xcaret ecoarchaeological park is currently located) to deliver their offerings and worship the goddess Ixchel in her sanctuary on the island of Cozumel as part of the Sacred Mayan Journey.
After intense preparation of several months, the canoeists set out early Friday morning on this, which is the 16th edition of the journey organized by the Xcaret group, whose cove was formerly called Polé. On this occasion they named the event “Witches of the Water.”
The canoeists, who left at 6 a.m. from Xcaret, began to arrive shortly after one in the afternoon, when the first canoes were sighted in the cove area of the Chankanaab Natural Park, located in Cozumel. There, the ceremony was held that recreates the pilgrimage that the ancient Mayans made to worship the goddess Ixchel, the Mayan deity related to fertility, the moon and textiles.
In an atmosphere full of joy and spirituality, each of the sailors gave the representation of the goddess Ixchel their thanks, offerings, and requests for fulfilling her promise of having sailed through the benefits and storms of the Caribbean Sea.
After spending the night on the island, early Saturday morning the canoeists began their return, arriving at the shores of Xcaret at one in the afternoon. There they were awaited by dozens of people, many of them their family and friends, who congratulated them on this achievement, which requires great physical preparation.
“The Sacred Mayan Journey allows you to connect with the history, traditions and spirituality of Cozumel, in addition to being a unique experience for visitors to learn about the Mayan worldview and appreciate the cultural richness of this paradise in the Mexican Caribbean,” highlighted the board of directors of the Parks and Museums Foundation through a press release.
Source: lajornadamaya
