Traditional bone cleaning, or Choo Ba’ak, as it is known in the town of Pomuch in the Mexican state of Campeche dates back to the time of the Maya.
Women clean the bones and skulls of their deceased relatives from the Uitz Poot family at the cemetery of Pomuch. Photo: Bénédicte Desrus
To the eyes of outsiders, this tradition may seem macabre, but for the people of Pomuch, it is a way to reconnect with their dearly departed and celebrate their ancient ancestry.
Since 2017 the tradition of Choo Ba’ak is considered part of the cultural heritage of the State of Campeche. Photograph by Bénédicte Desrus
This ritual, which in Mayan is known as Choo Ba’ak, can be done after a person has been dead for three years.
The entrance of the Pomuch Cemetery in Campeche state, Mexico on Oct. 22, 2022. Photo: Bénédicte DesrusPomuch and a handful of other Mayan communities are believed to be the only places in the country where people clean the bones of the dead. Photo: Bénédicte DesrusWomen of the Uitz Poot family at the cemetery of Pomuch clean the bones of their deceased relatives. Photo: Bénédicte DesrusMembers of the Kuk Pech family at the cemetery of Pomuch. Photo: Bénédicte Desrus
The cleaning of the bones is done with great care, as they become more and more brittle over time.
José Alfredo Yam Vargas cleans the bones and skull of his brother-in-law, who died in February 2019. Photo: Bénédicte Desrus
Once cleaned, the bones are placed in special boxes, often decorated with embroidered patterns and the name of the individuals there contained or their family name.
People across the Yucatán Peninsula believe that during Hanal Pixán, the spirits of their families are able to return to the realm of the living to enjoy a feast. Photo: Bénédicte Desrus
Viewing remains of the dead can seem rather extreme to some, but one would be wise to withhold judgment without understanding its full cultural context.
Contemporary Maya are known for mixing ancient beliefs with those of contemporary Christianity and Catholicism. Photo: Bénédicte Desr
Bénédicte Desrus is an award-winning French documentary photographer based in Mérida, Yucatán. Her work is distributed by Sipa USA. She has worked throughout Europe, East Africa and the Americas.
A group of Canadian influencers is stranded in Cancun and along Mexico’s Caribbean coast after Sunwing refused to let them board their flight back home.
As bars and nightclubs continue to establish businesses side-by-side with Centro homes, the city is now talking in general terms about modifying land use regulations.
During the event, several vendors will be selling tamales of several different types, including the Yucatecan Xpelón, as well as versions traditional to states like Puebla, Oaxaca, and Mexico City.
Mérida Mayor Renán Barrera Concha has announced that the city will not be canceling Carnaval altogether. The carnival is to be a hybrid event, with online components and a festive caravan that will traverse the city. The reported cost of the hybrid Carnaval is to be 13.7 million pesos, or about US$676,693. “This year we…
All 16 COVID-19 vaccination sites in the city are ready to begin operation, health authorities in Mérida confirmed. It is expected that today alone 11,000 men and women 60 and over will be vaccinated against COVID-19 in Mérida. Residents who registered and should receive a text message may receive other instructions. Vaccinations in Mérida will…
