Mayan Goddess Ixchel Exhibit Celebrates Sacred Journey

Cozumel, Mexico — The cultural program The Call of Goddess Ixchel has commenced with the inauguration of Oracle 2025, launching a photography and art object exhibition titled Canoeros del Tiempo: Objetos de Arte. Emblema de una Tradición Ancestral (Canoers of Time: Art Objects. Emblem of an Ancestral Tradition). Held at the Island Museum, the exhibition is a collaboration between the Cozumel Parks and Museums Foundation (FPMC), Grupo Xcaret, and the community of canoeists who play a vital role in the Sacred Journey.

A Tribute to Mayan Heritage

Juanita Alonso Marrufo, Director General of FPMC, presided over the official opening ceremony, reaffirming the institution’s commitment to preserving Cozumel’s cultural and natural heritage. "Events like this are a tribute to our roots, our identity, and the spirit that flows in the waters surrounding the island," she stated.

The exhibition features 71 photographs capturing the faces, emotions, and reflections of participants in the Sacred Journey. Each image includes personal testimonies detailing the physical, mental, and spiritual transformations experienced during the reenactment of the ancient pilgrimage to the sanctuary of Goddess Ixchel. Additionally, the display includes 12 paddles from Xcaret’s collection, artistically embellished through painting, engraving, or carving, alongside five large-scale replicas of vessels depicting Goddess Ixchel and the deities Xaman Ek and Ek Chuah.

Voices of the Canoeists

Orfa Acevedo, a participant, delivered a poignant reflection on the journey’s significance: "Crossing Xibalbá, sharing the channel with ten individuals who represent your tribe, your support, your family… is a privilege. The journey is for everyone, but not everyone is suited for it. It transforms lives and alters ways of living. This is a legacy we pass to our descendants, hoping they become true canoeists."

Recognitions and Acknowledgments

During the event, Eduardo Castro and Edson Bonilla, coaches and leaders of Cozumel’s canoe teams, received awards for their dedication and leadership. Alonso Marrufo also expressed gratitude to Leticia Aguerrebere, Corporate Director of Art, Culture, Production, and Festivals at Grupo Experiencias Xcaret, for their partnership in organizing the exhibition.

The director highlighted the support of Governor Mara Lezama Espinosa, whose New Agreement for the Well-being and Development of Quintana Roo promotes art and culture as tools for social change.

Upcoming Events

The public was invited to attend further activities under The Call of Goddess Ixchel: Oracle 2025 program, including a solar alignment event at the archaeological site El Caracol in Punta Sur Eco Park on April 16 at 6:00 p.m.

"This is a revived tradition, a living heritage," Alonso Marrufo concluded. "Cozumel is a spiritual center, a sacred sanctuary. May we never stop rowing toward the depths of our identity."

The exhibition will remain open to the public for several more days.