Artisan Village of Dzityá Prepares for 24th Annual Tunich Fair
The artisan village of Dzityá will transform into a cultural hub from July 25 to Aug. 3 as it hosts the 24th edition of the Feria Artesanal Tunich. The fair runs for 10 days in the quiet community just 30 minutes north of Mérida, Yucatán.
More than 150 artisans from Yucatán and beyond will showcase their work during the event. The word “Tunich” means stone in Maya, reflecting the community’s deep connection to traditional stone and wood crafts.
Dzityá has built its reputation on generations of skilled craftspeople. Currently, 23 families in the village dedicate themselves to artisan work, using electric lathes that allow them to produce five objects in the time it once took to make two. The village sits 10 kilometers from Mérida and houses hundreds of workshops where families work with wood and stone.
The craftsmen use local materials including Huayacán, Belsinanché, mahogany, cedar, ziricote, pine, Chukum, and Tzalam woods. For stone work, artisans carve six varieties of stone including Ticul, Macedonia, Conchuela, Fósil, Venado y Toc to create religious images, fountains and decorative pieces.
The fair draws visitors from across Mexico and internationally. Many restaurants and hotels in Mérida, Cancún, Riviera Maya and European visitors come to Dzityá seeking the finest specimens. Products range from kitchen utensils like wooden ladles and napkin rings to traditional toys and artistic sculptures.
Beyond the marketplace, Tunich functions as a cultural festival. Visitors can enjoy live performances of traditional music, dance, and theater, plus interactive workshops for children and adults to learn artisan techniques. The event includes regional food vendors and cultural programming throughout the 10-day run.
The fair has grown significantly since its start. The first edition featured 18 artisans, while the 2019 edition saw 124 participants. In 2023, the event generated an economic impact of more than 6.9 million pesos, an increase of 15% compared to 2022, with more than 110,000 people attending throughout the festival.
Transportation to the fair is provided free of charge. Service runs from the Plaza Principal of Mérida Monday through Saturday from 5 to 10 p.m., and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Parking is available on-site.
The event faces some challenges as the community grows. In 2019, residents in upscale housing developments near Dzityá forced some workshops to close due to complaints about dust and noise. An estimated 80 percent of Dzityá’s population depends directly or indirectly on handicraft sales.
While Dzityá’s modern history dates to 1890, archaeological evidence shows pre-Hispanic Maya settlements in the area from around 300 BCE to approximately 800 CE. The village’s Chapel of the Immaculate Conception and local government headquarters are registered as Cultural Heritage of the Municipality of Mérida.
Admission to the fair remains free throughout the 10-day event. Hours run from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. More information is available at www.merida.gob.mx/tunich.
The fair serves as both economic engine and cultural preservation effort for the Maya community. Each purchase helps sustain traditions that have been part of Yucatecan daily life for generations, bridging ancient techniques with contemporary markets in one of southeastern Mexico’s most important artisan celebrations.
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