Festival del maíz

The Corn Festival in Ocosingo is not just a day of celebration but a profound ceremony of connection between the land, culture, and community. Every September 23rd, the municipality’s population gathers in the Central Park to honor the agricultural cycle, give thanks to Mother Earth for the harvest, and recognize the fundamental role of corn in daily life, cuisine, and spirituality of the indigenous peoples—especially the Tseltal communities that inhabit the region.

The event begins with a symbolic ceremony of gratitude, inspired by the ancestral customs of the elders, where new ears of corn are blessed, food offerings are presented, and traditional songs are sung in indigenous language. Representatives from rural communities, cultural collectives, farmers, children from bilingual schools, and local authorities participate. It is a deeply symbolic act that unites the spiritual with the festive.

Following this, a corn fair is set up where visitors can enjoy a wide variety of dishes made from this grain: tamales, atoles, pozol, tortillas cooked on a griddle, boiled corn ears, tostadas, esquites, and pinoles, among others. Women from various communities share their traditional recipes and culinary knowledge, creating an authentic and collective gastronomic experience. Additionally, contests such as “best traditional tamale,” “largest tortilla,” and “best-decorated corn ear”