U Belilek
The local experts on all things Tihosuco, the colonial-era capital of the peninsula still holds a prominent position on the crown of Maya culture, and it's a fascinating and multi-faceted town to come to know.
U Belilek is likely the leading provider of services to visitors to Tihosuco, a deeply historical and fascinating Maya town in Quintana Roo, but practically on the border with Yucatan. Easily one of the oldest towns in Quintana Roo, people visit today for the colonial-era buildings and especially the ruin of the Church of Santo Niño Jesus. It's also a hotbed of Maya thinking, culture, and contemporary takes on the people's long history on the Yucatan Peninsula.
The town is important as one of the starting points of the Caste War that rocked the peninsula for most of the second half of the 19th century. And U Belilek is dedicated to presenting that history, and its vestiges today, to a broader public.
The Caste War Museum was established here in 1994. Many of the town's population have, since then, been involved better presenting that history and culture to the world. A big part of it is still food, but people also celebrate with dance, traditional medicine, cotton production, wood carving, music, embroidery, stories and legends, radio workshops, and talks on all of the above.
The U Belilek Kaxtik Kuxtal Cooperative Society was in 2003. The name translates as The path to seek our existence and it was chosen to reflect the sense of the cooperative as a community movement. The cooperative works to make stable and sustainable use of this cultural heritage by welcoming people from all over the world. They offer guided hikes, bird watching tours, tours of the town, camping, and a complete restaurant.
Visitors to the town can expect a Maya welcome ceremony followed by a tour of the Caste War Museum, and a visit to the related ruin of the church, nearly destroyed during the war. This is followed by a demonstration of the community's use of cotton, it's production and use in local artisan works. Traditional medicine, and a traditional music and dance presentation will often follow.
Contact:
U Belilek
Tel: 983 700 8561
ubelilekmkt@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/u.belilek
https://www.viajaturismocomunitario.com/u-belilek-kaxtik-kuxtal
