Pomuch
Hands down, one of the most famous little towns in Campeche maintains a mysterious funerary practice and breaks bread with excited visitors who keep coming back from all over the world.
Pomuch is a small town in Campeche famous in equal measure for two impressive traditions. The first is the seemingly macabre (but ancient) tradition of cleaning and reburying the bones of deceased loved ones each year during the Day of the Dead celebrations, and the second is the quality of the bread baked here.
Any tour of the area must take both of these deep-rooted traditions into account. La Casita de los Árboles Nativos (The House of Native Trees), is increasingly popular with visitors and organizes some of the most intense sustainable excursions in the area. La Casita is based in Bécal, half an hour north of Pomuch. When you arrive here, you start with a walk through the center of town and around the beloved church of La Purísima Concepción. Every April, the entire town center comes alive with a fair that has gained notoriety throughout the region.
But the bakery is the real heart of the city. You can watch at least part of the bread-making process before eating it. The tour continues at a traditional Mayan house where pibipollos are prepared. You can also try some of these later on.
But the highlight of the visits is the cemetery, where the bones are cleaned and reburied, now wrapped in a newly embroidered shroud. The custom dates back to the 19th century in its Christianized version, but it is believed to be based on much older customs. Of course, the visit would be incomplete without the candy and sweets workshop. Guests can try everything and see how it is made. Finally, upon returning to the pibipollo of the Mayan-style house, the guests can dine while learning about the Day of the Dead altar and the annual events that take place every October and November.
La Casita de los Árboles Nativos will pick you up at the Calkini Maya Train station or closer to Pomuch at the Hecelchakán station. They can also advise you on local transportation routes and places to stay, including the campground located on the grounds of La Casita in Bécal.
Contact:
Maestra Cessia Esther Chuc Uc
Fundación Chilibitos de Bécal
Benito Juárez, Bécal, Campeche, Mexico, 24934
Tel: 999 256 8363
jmaas@fad.unam.mx
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