Janal Pixan in Yucatán

Janal Pixan, A Magical Time

Janal Pixan in Yucatán is considered one of the most distinctive times of the year. During this Maya festivity, we’re accustomed to celebrating big time. We love participating in the Paseo de Ánimas, touring the cemetery, having altar competitions…and don’t even get me started on the Pib Festival. During these days, the streets are lively (I’m aware of the irony) and people are happy to honor their loved ones, paint their faces, and relish in the state’s delicious cuisine.  

Death has always been a part of the history of mankind. From the world’s very origins, explaining it and trying to give it meaning has terrorized humans. The Maya conceived time in a cyclical way, tied to a universal space where time flows infinitely. This is made up of the Earth, 13 celestial planes above, and nine underworlds below. In the center is the Ceiba, the Ya’axché - a sacred tree that unites all spaces. This is where human cycles connect with the divine sequences that decide their fates. The Maya worldview is still present and seen in parties, rituals, and architecture.  

In Yucatecan culture, death is like our traveling companion. The magical thing about this tradition is that it creates a bond between the living and the dead. It’s a way to remember those that are no longer with us, leave them a bit of their favorite foods, spend time with family, and maintain our culture more alive than ever.

It’s Janal Pixan, not Hanal Pixán

The reason why "Janal Pixan" is spelled with a "J" instead of an "H" is due to the standardization of the Maya alphabet. In the mid-1980s, a group of Maya language experts came together to create a unified and standardized alphabet for writing this language. In this alphabet, the letter "H" does not exist, as its sound is represented by the letter "J". This decision was made to avoid redundancies and facilitate writing in Maya. The formal ratification of these norms and their dissemination nationwide was carried out by the National Institute of Indigenous Languages (INALI). This Mexican government institution is responsible for promoting, developing, and strengthening the indigenous languages of México, and is in charge of establishing the official standards for writing these languages.

It is important to note that the unification of writing in the Maya language was a collaborative effort by various experts and linguists. There was no single "authority" in the sense of a specific government institution that imposed this standard unilaterally. However, INALI, as the institution responsible for promoting and developing indigenous languages in México, played a fundamental role in the ratification and dissemination of the writing standards for the Maya language. The writing standards for Maya were developed through a consensus among a group of Maya language experts, who worked for several years to establish a unified and standardized alphabet.

What's Janal Pixan?

The Pixan - the gods’ gift to humans when they are born - is a fluid that indicates the energy of a particular person, it is their strength, and accompanies them into the underworld. It is said that souls walk along snake-like paths that hold the worlds of the living, the dead, and the gods together.  

Janal Pixan ("food of the souls") is celebrated with the family. It’s an intimate festival, so you’ll find most of the altars inside homes.

For Yucatecans, it means spending a couple of days in the company of relatives, children, parents and grandparents no longer with us, who will delight in the food and share the table with us. However, in families like mine, you may also find pictures of friends and pets. They too are lovingly remembered.

Celebration days of Janal Pixan

Although the celebration takes place between October 31 and November 2, coinciding with the Day of the Dead in central México, Janal Pixan could not be more unique.   

According to tradition, children are celebrated on October 31st, and it is called the Day of the Little Angels. Adults are remembered on November 1st, and it is called All Saints' Day, and November 2nd is for all souls, and it is called All Souls' Day.

You might be surprised to know that each day is dedicated to a different group. The first, October 31, is for children. Compared to the following days - and their more plain, somber altars - the celebration of the children (U Janal Paalal) is full of color. On the tablecloths, embroidered in vibrant hues, you’ll see toys, colored candles, candy, pictures of the little ones, and the traditional Janal Pixan flowers: Xpujuc (yellow) and Xtés (bright red). Note that the food placed for them should cater to their age, as they still have the palate of a child.   

The second day, November 1, is dedicated to adults and is called U Janal Nucuch Uinicoob. The altars that are put up for the adults are similar to the previous ones, but with white tablecloths, white candles, and three-course food (don't forget the Mukbilpollo). Instead of toys, you can find things they liked in life, such as cigarettes, rum (or any other alcohol), and objects related to their hobbies. In my grandfather's case, it will be something from his mountaineering and photography gear. If tradition is followed, you’ll find a green cross that, in addition to its Catholic meaning, represents the Maya sacred Ceiba tree.  

Finally, on November 2, U Janal Pixanoob, it is customary to visit the cemetery and attend a mass for all souls.   

Janal Pixan altars

The preparation of the Janal Pixan altar in Yucatán is a tradition that merges Mayan and Spanish elements. An altar is constructed and adorned with a white tablecloth and a green wooden cross representing the ceiba tree, a symbol of the Mayan universe. Photographs of the deceased, candles, incense, flowers, and a variety of foods such as pib, relleno negro, and escabeche are placed on the altar. Drinks like chocolate and atole are served in jícaras and represent the children who worked in the milpa (cornfield). This celebration is a sign of respect for ancestors and an opportunity to reflect on life and death.

Janal Pixan food in Yucatán

Janal Pixan is a Yucatecan celebration honoring the deceased, where food plays a central role. It is believed that the souls of the departed return to Earth to enjoy the offerings prepared for them. The star dish is mukbilpollo (or pib), a tamale made with chicken and pork, wrapped in banana leaves, and cooked in an underground oven. This dish, along with other delicacies such as xec (jícama salad), pibinal (corn on the cob cooked in the pib), and honeyed pumpkin, is shared with family and friends. In addition to food, drinks such as atole nuevo and hot chocolate, as well as sweets and bread, are offered. The Janal Pixan tradition fuses Mayan and Spanish elements, creating a unique and flavorful celebration.

Prepare for Janal Pixan wherever you are

If you are outside of Yucatán or if you’re new to the region, you can incorporate Janal Pixan into your new home. All you need is to prepare a space, set a table, and gather the elements mentioned above. The wooden cross is important because it represents the Ceiba tree, which in the Maya worldview symbolizes the universe and its division into three levels. Some items, such as a glass of water and salt, are kept throughout the day, while the dishes offered during breakfast, lunch, and dinner have to be changed. They’re supposed to be left out for several hours and then removed from the table to be consumed by the living. It is believed that spirits come to eat and take the essence of what they liked best in life. The photos of your deceased loved ones and small mementos that connect you to them.

The meaning of the Janal Pixan elements

• Janal Pixan: Janal = food, Pixan = soul. Often translates to "Food for the Souls" or "Feast for the Souls."
• Mukbilpollo/Pib: This is a Yucatecan specialty that's often described in English as a "pibil" or "buried tamale."
• Xec: This is a refreshing salad made with jícama, citrus fruits, and cilantro.
• Pibinal: This refers to corn on the cob that has been cooked in the pib, giving it a smoky and slightly sweet flavor.
• Atole nuevo: A traditional Maya drink made from corn, often flavored with chili or sugar.
• Ceiba tree: is a significant symbol in Mayan culture, often associated with the center of the universe.
• Jícaras: are traditional drinking vessels made from gourds.
• Milpa: refers to a traditional Mesoamerican field system of polyculture.
• Day of the Little Angels (Día de los Angelitos): This is a tradition in many Spanish-speaking countries, particularly in Mexico, where children who have passed away are remembered and honored.
• All Saints' Day (Día de Todos los Santos): This is a Catholic holiday celebrated on November 1st to commemorate all the saints, known and unknown.
• All Souls' Day (Día de los Fieles Difuntos): Celebrated on November 2nd, this day is dedicated to praying for and remembering all the faithful departed.