‘Maya Baptism’: Yucatán Moves to Uphold Ancestral Hetzmek Ceremonies

Yucatán’s Congress is moving to officially recognize the Hetzmek, an ancient Maya ritual commonly known as a “Maya baptism,” as part of the state’s intangible cultural heritage.

Independent Deputy Rosana Couoh Chan, who speaks both Maya and Spanish during legislative sessions, presented the initiative to grant the ceremony legal protection. She argues that the ritual is a living expression of the Maya worldview and requires preservation under state law.

What is the Hetzmek?

The Hetzmek is an ancestral ceremony from Yucatán. Unlike a religious baptism, it does not involve cleansing original sin. The term comes from the Maya language: het means “loosen” or “open,” while mek means “to embrace.”

The ritual physically places the baby on the hip of a godfather or godmother with their legs separated. This position is meant to help the child learn to walk correctly. The godparent then carries the child nine times around a table covered with food offerings.

During the ceremony, the child is presented to the four cardinal points. The godparent also offers the baby a set of tools intended to guide their development into a good adult. Traditional tools include a comal (griddle) and a cooking pot for domestic skills, or scissors and pencils for work. In modern versions of the ceremony, families may include a laptop.

The godparents must carry a candle throughout the ritual and commit to protecting the child until the child reaches adulthood.

The signing of the proposition granting the Hetzmek official status as part of Yucatán’s cultural heritage is expected to pass without much opposition during an upcoming session of the state congress. 

Protection of Maya Traditions

Couoh Chan’s initiative argues that the Hetzmek is a symbol of Maya identity and a source of pride for Yucatán. She stated that preserving the ceremony helps ensure new generations understand their heritage.

“Our traditions represent the enormous Maya worldview,” Couoh Chan said. “We must respect them and ensure that new generations understand why Yucatán is great. The Hetzmek is a Maya symbol and Yucatecan pride, and preserving it is so that we do not forget where we come from.”

The proposal now awaits a vote by the full Congress. If approved, the Hetzmek will become part of Yucatán’s official intangible cultural heritage, granting it legal recognition and protection.

Other Ancestral Maya Traditions

In addition to the Hetzmek, several other traditional Maya ceremonies are still practiced in Yucatán today. Janal Pixán is the Maya Day of the Dead celebration, during which families build altars with food offerings, such as mukbilpollo, to welcome returning souls. 

In Pomuch, the annual bone cleaning ritual involves families removing deceased relatives’ bones from ossuaries and cleaning each bone by hand. Traditional Maya weddings are performed by a shaman using gourds representing the four cardinal points, with offerings of corn, cacao, and honey. Zaká is a land-and-cenote healing ceremony that uses water and corn dough to cleanse bad spirits. 

The Cha Chaac rain ceremony involves prayers and offerings to the Maya rain god Chaac for agricultural fertility.