Acanceh: The Lament of the Deer
Acanceh is a picturesque town located in central Yucatán, in the former henequen-producing zone, approximately 30 km from Mérida, the state capital.
In its main park stands a large sculpture of a deer with its front legs raised and pierced by an arrow, serving as a tribute to the origin of the community’s name. It comes from the Maya words áakam, meaning "moan" or "lament," and kéej, meaning "deer." Surrounding its Plaza de las Tres Culturas (Plaza of Three Cultures) you will find its pre-Hispanic pyramid, (which is crowned with impressive stucco masks), the colonial-era Temple of Nuestra Señora de la Natividad, and contemporary buildings.
The Most Important Guadalupan Celebration
The traditional fiesta of Acanceh is one of the most anticipated events by Yucatecans. Here, the Virgin of Guadalupe is celebrated continuously from October 25th until December 12th and 16th.
This is considered the longest fiesta in the entire Peninsula, with over forty days of celebration where gremios (guilds) hold popular dances, processions, and vaquerías (traditional folk dances).
The celebration begins in October with the "lowering" of the Virgin’s painting, which typically resides year-round in a chapel built atop the main pyramid’s platform, and is moved to the main church.
This act inaugurates the most important Guadalupan fiesta in Yucatán; thousands of devotees come to celebrate the "Morenita del Tepeyac" (the Brown Virgin) and to fulfill their mandas (vows or promises). The fiesta officially concludes on December 16th, with the image's return to its chapel.
The Gremios of Acanceh: Tradition, Color, and Flavor
The fiesta continues uninterrupted for forty days with the daily entry and exit of the gremios. The municipal council also joins the festivities, organizing a large fair complete with mechanical rides, food stalls, clothing, crafts, toys, and national-level concerts and shows.
The gremios are organizations of devotees who gather to throw a large celebration demonstrating their faith and commitment to the Virgin of Guadalupe, one of the most important religious figures in México. These gatherings are notably special because they gift all attendees tacos de negrito, a regional dish made with pork and turkey, gizzards and liver, cooked over a wood fire with recado negro (black paste) made from chiles, spearmint, and chives.
In addition to being very colorful, the gremios of Acanceh are full of elements that make them unique. For example, the artisanal candles decorated with scaled wax (cera escamada) are true works of art that people craft as a gift or commitment to the Virgin; these are brought out every night to illuminate and adorn the processions. The beautifully embroidered banners and pavilions featuring xookbil chuuy or cross-stitch are also masterpieces that reflect the deep devotion of Acanceh. Similarly, the floral arrangements donated by the gremios stand out for their beauty and dedication; upon entering the church, you can breathe in a fresh perfume of roses, lilies, and tuberoses. At night, the lighting of "fire bulls" (toritos de fuego) brings the festivities to a spectacular close.
Acanceh: A Town of Jarana
The Yucatecan jarana, our traditional music and dance, is the protagonist of the Guadalupan celebrations in Acanceh. Many elegant vaquerías are held, bringing together all the town's residents. Highlights include the vaquerías organized by the city council in the Municipal Palace and the one held by the Gremio de Jaraneros Guadalupanos (Guadalupan Jarana Guild) on November 22nd. Hundreds of dancers in their finest attire attend this traditional ball to enjoy the melodious songs interpreted by the best jarana orchestras on the Península.
Photography by Leobardo Cox Tec for use in Yucatán Today.
First published in Yucatán Today print and digital magazine no. 456, in December 2025.
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