HANAL
PIXAN.
This
documentary would try to spread the importance of a traditional festival: Hanal
Pixan…Food of the Souls, which takes place in Yucatan and reflects the history
and culture of the Mayan people. It is an important original Mayan celebration
of 3 days of festivities (from October 31st to November 2nd
).
Before
these three days, the Walk of the Souls takes place where people paint their
faces and dress up as a catrina, the traditional skeleton woman. The first day
is dedicated to deceased children, so toys and sweets are included on the
altar. The second day is dedicated to dead adults. On the third day, a mass
dedicated to all the dead is generally held in the local cemetery.
Other
different events are included throughout the week such as decorated streets and
parks, music and night shows in the Central Plaza, and other parks in the
center of Mérida.
Families
prepare the traditional Mayan dish called Pib, a chicken tamale (wrapped in
banana leaves) that is cooked underground in a hole for several hours before
being placed on the altar.
This
documentary would highlight the atmosphere of this festivity, filming "The
Walk of the Souls", the altars, and interviewing young, elderly, and
locals to gather opinions on the value of protecting our traditional customs.
Carmen A. Calderón R.