Día de Muertos or Janal Pixan: What's the difference?

As the weeks continue to fly by, Yucatecos are eagerly awaiting the arrival of one of the region’s favorite holidays, Janal Pixan — Yucatán’s version of Día de Muertos, or Day of the Dead.

For many not familiar with these celebrations beyond what they learned by watching the animated film “Coco,” the two may appear interchangeable, but let me assure you, saying so out loud in front of a Yucateco would be a major faux pas.

Candy skulls made out of sugar have long been popular for Día de Muertos in Central México, and have also become so in Yucatán. When arranged in great numbers, they somewhat resemble a Tzompantli, or Teotihuacan rack of skulls. Photo: Courtesy

But to be fair, Día Los Muertos and Yucatán’s Janal (or Hanal) Pixan do share many aspects. These include the setting up of elaborate altars and family visits to cemeteries. That said, Janal Pixan really does have a character all its own.

Janal Pixan altars are traditionally split up into three levels to reflect the three planes of existence — the underworld below, the land of the living in the middle, and the heavens above. Photo: Carlos Rosado van der Gracht

Dia de Muertos is observed Nov. 1 and Nov. 2 to coincide with the Catholic festivities of All Souls Day and All Saints Day. However, many of the most popular customs associated with El Día Los Muertos trace their roots back to several Pre Hispanic cultures.

In Yucatán, Janal Pixan begins Oct. 31 and continues through Nov. 2. Just like during Día de Muertos celebrations elsewhere in the country, people in Yucatán believe that during these special days the dead are able to travel to the human world to enjoy some time with their loved ones, as well as their favorite foods.

Families typically adorn altars with photos of their deceased loved ones and fill them with their favorite foods, and sometimes even their favorite vices such as cigarettes and liquor. Photo: Carlos Rosado van der Gracht

During Janal Pixan, every day is assigned differently. The first day (and night) is dedicated to children who have passed away. Thus, it is common to see altars on Oct. 31 being full of toys and candy.

In some communities, it is common for children to wrap a red or black cloth around their hands to keep grieving spirits from taking them to the realms of the dead. Photo: Courtesy

On Nov. 1 it is the adults’ turn. Tradition in Yucatán says that photographs of loved ones can only be placed on the altar a full calendar year after the person passed away since before that time his or her spirit would not be permitted to cross back over, as it would be considered too soon.

The food and drinks placed on altars should not be touched, much less consumed until the next day, after the spirits of the deceased have had an opportunity to enjoy it for themselves.

A solemn procession through the streets of Campeche. Photo: Carlos Rosado van der Gracht / Yucatán Magazine

On Nov. 2, the altars are restocked for children and adults alike. On this day it is traditional to attend a special mass to honor the dearly departed and offer up prayers for an easy passage between realms, as well as their souls in general.

Even within Yucatán, different regions observe Janal Pixan with their own foods and traditions. One notable example is the town of Pomuch in Campeche, which aside from its huge concentration of bakeries is famous for its own particular take on the celebration. As morbid as it may sound to us, from time immemorial, locals in Pomuch have dug up the bones of their deceased loved ones to clean them then and display them on an altar.

Unlike altar exhibitions downtown Mérida, altars in Pomuch tend to be much more private. Photo: Guillermo Novelo

As with everything in Yucatán, food plays an enormous role during Janal Pixan, with some of the most popular traditional dishes being the fruit salad known as Xec and the star of the show, mucbipollo or pib. The uninitiated may think of this as a pork and chicken pot pie, but it’s closer to a large tamale, cooked with corn dough, mixed with a handful of spices, and wrapped in banana tree leaves.

In some parts of the Yucatán Peninsula, locals have developed their own take on the giant tamale. For example in Valladolid and other communities in the east of the state of Yucatán, the most famous dish during Janal Pixan is Pan de Espelón, which is stuffed with Valladolid’s famous lomitos.

Over the past few decades, Mexico’s Día de Muertos has attracted much international attention, partly due to its being featured in Hollywood films and other media. In Yucatán, Janal Pixan has undergone somewhat of a transformation, as it is no longer only a somber occasion to be observed at home but a very public celebration complete with altar competitions and exhibitions. Also gaining in popularity is the Paseo de Las Animás in Mérida.

During the Paseo de Las Animas, thousands of locals and tourists make a procession from the Pantheon Florido on Calle 66 to the Church of Ermita de Santa Isabel — with many wearing elaborate costumes and makeup. Photo: Courtesy

In recent decades, Halloween, celebrated at the same time of year, has been gaining in popularity — especially among young people. This imported holiday is sometimes seen as a threat to local tradition. But honestly, just because kids decide they want to trick or treat does not mean that the old ways are in danger. El Día de Muertos and Janal Pixan continue to be as popular as ever, and I have a hard time believing a few Milky Ways and Pumpkins could change that.

So do what you will, whether you choose to celebrate El Día de Muertos, Janal Pixan, Halloween or some sort of hybrid — just remember to have fun.

Carlos Rosado van der Gracht

Senior Editor Carlos Rosado van der Gracht is a Mexican expedition/Canadian photographer and adventure leader. Born in Mérida, Carlos holds multimedia, philosophy, and translation degrees from universities in Mexico, Canada and Norway.