Video

The Sacred Journey project was born with the determination to, year by year, recover one of the most significant traditions of the ancient Mayan people of this region: The ritual crossing of the Channel to Cozumel to worship the goddess Ix Chel. Starting in 2007, this historical re-enactment seeks to revive interest in the Mayan civilization and strengthen the cultural ties of the area's inhabitants.

"I was chosen to be an oarsman, a pilgrim. Before me, my father was chosen, and before him, my grandfather and my grandfather's father, ever since we came to this generous land of the Mayab many centuries ago."

"We filled our canoes with offerings for the Lady of the Moon, Ix Chel, whose temple was on Cozumel Island. We departed from Xcaret because it was there where we could purify ourselves in the sacred waters and fast before the crossing."

"We suffered exhaustion and the terrible heat on the open sea and it was difficult to cross because it was also the entrance to the Underworld. That's why those who made it to the other side were the winners of a great battle."

"Once on the island, we would make our offering to the goddess. She ruled the seas, from which we took our food and many other things for trade. Before returning, she would give us a message that was always good advice for daily life and the destiny of our people, because so much of our lives were related to her."

"Like us, many other pilgrims from other places came to hear the message. That's the way it was for many generations. Then, one day, we stopped going."

Description of the Journey

The Journey is done in the traditional Mayan canoe, leaving from Polé, modern-day Xcaret, for the island of Cozumel, and returning to Playa del Carmen, the ancient port city of Xaman Há.

Twenty-five canoes are hand made using an ancient Mayan model and 300 oarsmen from the communities of Xcaret, Cozumel and Playa del Carmen prepare with intense training.

The Crossing is a total of 50 kilometers (30 miles) roundtrip, which is some 5 to 6 hours of free rowing for each trip over the 420-meter deep Cozumel Channel. The south to north current running at 2 to 4 knots requires great physical strength and endurance to navigate, making for a risky crossing for the oarsmen.