Tradiciones De Poptún

The dance of the skull:

This is a very colorful and cheerful tradition among children called Ishpaxá for the Skull. This tradition consists of the fact that, on November 1 and 2 of each year, hundreds of children come out onto the street wearing a skull made of pumpkin or grapefruit shells. They put a lit candle inside that skull, so it offers a transparency flooded with light, when these skulls are carried by hundreds of children through the streets, they seem rivers of light accompanied by a deafening blare (noise of many voices) that make the children when asking in business and houses with the refrain of Ishpaxá for the Skull, if you do not give me gives you shit. Most business owners give them sweets or any candy.

THE CHATONE

La Chatona is one of the most emblematic traditions of the department of Petén, Guatemala, and consists of dancing a large doll (a little over two meters), during the festivities of the municipalities and other festivals, such as the day of the independence of the Republic.

The doll is constructed so that a person can enter it and can sustain the structure for a long time while dancing with the people around it.

This tradition, together with the horse, which usually accompanies "La Chatona", was declared an Intangible Cultural Heritage by the Ministry of Culture and Sports of the Republic of Guatemala.

Pilgrimage to Cerro Las Tres Cruces: This was originated by the arrival in Poptún of a missionary of Spanish origin, Father Florentino Valdavida, who made the name of the hill located in the center of the town change its name, Pors was the aforementioned missionary who organized, the holy week of the year of 1972 along with the Christian brotherhood, a short pilgrimage to the hill that was known as the Santitos, with three wooden crosses, to place them on the top. To impose the custom Father Valdavida was the first to carry a cross on his back to that mound, followed by two hard-working brothers of the Christian order, who also carried crosses.

Typical Foods of the Municipality of Poptún

In relation to the typical foods of the municipality is the preparation of tamales, Ixpelón buns, tamalitos, broth of chicken and beef, and regularly within the typical food of the indigenous population are: the, kaqik and barbecued meat. All these meals are made for the celebration of a family or communal event.

Patronal Fiesta of the Municipality of Poptún

The municipal celebrations with Catholic religious base take place from April 21 to 30. The last day of the festival was called Mother's Day since only they organized the event. The titular celebration is in honor of the patron saint San Pedro Mártir of Verona elected as patron of Poptún, who was brought from the capital city by América Palacios to Mr. Benigno Arias on February 16, 1,931.