Faith, Culture, and Tradition in Felipe Carrillo Puerto
In Mexico, Día de Reyes is celebrated every January 6th in remembrance of the visit of the Three Wise Men to the baby Jesus. On this day, families gather to cut the traditional Rosca de Reyes and spend time together. The Rosca de Reyes has an oval shape, representing the infinite circle of love for God. The crystallized dried fruit symbolizes the jewels worn by the Kings on their crowns, and the small figurine inside the bread represents the baby Jesus. Traditionally, the person who finds the figurine is responsible for hosting a gathering on February 2nd, known as Día de la Candelaria.
In addition, children write their letters to the Three Kings days in advance, asking for the gifts they would like to receive. It is believed that on the night of January 5th, the Three Kings visit homes to leave gifts for children, which are opened on the morning of January 6th. To welcome the Three Kings, some children place the letter in a pair of shoes, in other regions of the country they tie the letter to a balloon or place it on the Christmas tree, after that the night before they leave a plate with cookies accompanied by a glass of milk or water for them. Some even place containers of water for the elephant, the camel, and the horse that carry the Three Kings.
In Felipe Carrillo Puerto, this celebration fills the city with joy for several days, as it is a tradition that has been carried on for more than 45 years, making it one of the oldest and most anticipated celebrations. Every January, the traditional fair in honor of the Holy Kings is held. This year, the fair will take place from January 5th to January 23rd. During these days, people can attend and enjoy the family-friendly atmosphere created each year, with fun and various activities such as amusement rides, dances, musical performances, and bullfighting events.
These days not only serve to commemorate the Holy Kings, but also promote family togetherness and culture through the different activities that take place. In addition, the celebration supports the local economy and represents the history and unity of the community.
To learn more about Na’atik’s English language program for local and Indigenous students in Felipe Carrillo Puerto, visit our Impact Page. We are only able to provide this much needed program thanks to the support of generous donors and the funds raised from our award winning Maya and Spanish Immersion Program. If you would like to support our mission please consider donating today or take a look at our immersion programs and online class packages.