Five Superstitions From the Zona Maya

Every country and culture has its own unique tapestry of superstitions or folk beliefs and Mexico is no exception. Due to its complex history and large number of constituent cultures and religious traditions, it is no surprise that Mexico is home to a diverse array of often contradictory superstitious beliefs. This is particularly apparent in the Zona Maya, which is not only more rural and traditional than many other parts of the country, but also has unique Mexican-Mayan cultural makeup.

As in many parts of the world, most people no longer fully believe in these superstitions, however many continue to follow them nonetheless, whether out of habit or simply erring on the side of caution.

Today we are looking at some of the superstitions local members of the team here at Na’atik have grown up with, some of which are similar to those believed elsewhere in Mexico, and some of which are unique to the region.

1 -  Red String to Ward Off The Evil Eye

The superstition of the evil eye, or El Mal Ojo, is believed across Mexico and beyond, with different regions and cultures suggesting their own remedies and preventative actions. In the Zona Maya it is believed that the evil eye largely affects babies and children who are not yet strong enough to resist the influence of the evil eye. The common way of preventing this is by tying a red string bracelet around the wrist of the one being protected, which must be kept in place until the child is old enough to protect itself, usually when they are able to speak for themselves. 

There are differing reasons given for the use of red, including that it represents fire or life and thus wards off bad spirits, or conversely that red is an appealing color to the evil spirits and attracts them to the string which absorbs their negative energy rather than the child.

Some people sew a seed, known as el ojo de venado, or the eye of the deer, into the string, which is used to show whether or not the power of the string has been used up. When the seed darkens and becomes discolored, it is time to change the string.

2 - Not Passing the Salt

In many parts of the world salt or the spilling of salt is associated with luck or chance. This may in part be due to the importance of salt in the growth of ancient civilizations, or its use for purification in religious ceremonies.

 In Mexico it is important to never pass salt directly to another person when dining, one should always place it on the table in front of them instead. This is because it is believed that salt can literally carry bad luck from one person to another and also that this can create bad energy between the people, possibly leading to future conflict between the two. If you accidentally accept salt passed by another, it is best to throw the salt behind you, placing the bad luck it carried behind you in the process.

While many people will deny believing in this superstition, most prefer to exercise caution and avoid taking the chance of being stuck with another´s bad luck.

3 - Don’t Eat Watermelon at Night

Despite having a diet that is notoriously made up of heavy foods, and a tendency to dine late, there is one food you won’t often see Mexicans eating after dark… watermelons. Across Mexico it is believed that eating watermelon, or sandia, at night will make it hard to sleep, will make you feel unwell and that it will freeze up your stomach. In the Zona Maya it is even believed that doing so can be dangerous and make you seriously unwell. 

This superstition may even have some basis in science, as some nutritionists have suggested that the high water and acid content of watermelon do not make it conducive to easy digestion and restful sleep, although many argue that eating a bit of extra fruit can never really do you any harm!

You may also be warned not to eat watermelon when drinking beer, as the combination is considered to be potentially poisonous, although others will insist that this is a delicious combination that should not be passed up on!

4 - Don’t Eat Straight Out of the Pan

Many of us will have memories of being scolded by parents for eating food directly from a griddle, frying pan or other cooking pot, being told it was bad manners or uncouth. In this part of Mexico it is also considered to be very unwise, as doing so will guarantee that it will rain on the day of your wedding, or alternatively on your next birthday. A very handy threat for parents to use when warning children to wait for food to be served.

It is further believed that pregnant women in particular should avoid eating from the frying pan, or sartén, as this will run the risk of their children being born with blackened lips.

5 - Angry Cooks Make Spicy Salsas

Anyone who has eaten authentic Mexican food will likely have heard the warning pica mucho - it is very spicy. With the abundance of chillies used in Mexican cooking, it is possible to find salsas of almost any spice level. It is however believed that the temperament of the cook who made the salsa is another factor, as if they are feeling angry while they are cooking, this anger will  be reflected in the flavor and heat of the food! A warning to never get on the wrong side of the person cooking for you.

Here in the Yucatán peninsula it is more often believed that the mood of the farmer who grew the chillies is the deciding factor in how spicy they are. As habaneros are used widely in the region's cuisine, and can range from relatively mild, to really quite spicy indeed, this myth provides an easy to understand explanation for the inconsistent heat level. It also makes it important to know how happy your local chili farmer is!

These are just a few of the many superstitions you may encounter in this part of Mexico, the best way to learn about the traditions and culture of the area is by staying with a local family as part of a Na’atik Spanish or Maya Immersion experience. Not only will you improve your language skills and experience life in the region first hand, but you will also be contributing to the education of local and Indigenous children.

To learn more about our Immersion program, visit our Spanish or Maya pages or contact mas@naatikmexico.org

To read about how your visit supports local students check out our impact page.