Mayan calendar and the end of this era.
According to artists and theorists of the “New Age” movement, there is a myth that the world is created and destroyed several times; so they say, will happen again. The Mayan calendar is cyclical and repeats every 52 years. In the long count, the calculation began in what would be August 13th 3114 BC of the Gregorian calendar. It is believed that the Mayan priests had astronomical and mathematical knowledge to interpret, according to their religious worldview, years and the future of humans. Apparently throughout Mesoamerica the same calendar was used as it keeps similarities with those used in the Olmec culture (which is older than the Maya) and…
The Day of the Dead in Mexico
The celebration, in Mexico, of Day of the Dead is a pre-Hispanic holiday in honor of the departed, celebrated on November 1st. and 2nd, in conjunction with the Catholic celebrations of All Souls Day and All Saints. Hanal Pixán, which in Mayan means “Food of souls”. In the towns and cities of Mayan origin or influence in the Yucatan Peninsula people prepare this traditional food offered to the dead during the commemorations, on October 31st children are reminded, on November 1st adults and November 2nd all saints. The celebration begins much earlier with embroidered tablecloths used on the table, the handcrafting of clay dishes, candle wax, and so on.…
The wildlife of the Riviera Maya and its environment I
Mexico is known for being a diverse area in both ecosystems and species of plants and animals. According to a study by the World Wildlife Found, the country is the third one worldwide in terms of biodiversity, after Brazil and Colombia. Practically it has about 12% of all documented species. The state of Quintana Roo is located in the neo-tropical region of the country; an area of high diversity in native species: hundreds of fish and bird species , over 80 species of reptiles and amphibians, dozens of species of mammals, thousands of spiders, terrestrial insects and marine invertebrates, plus several hundred plant species. Added to this, the location and…
The wildlife of the Riviera Maya and its environment II
Scientific name: Beaucarnea pliabilis Rose Español: Despeinada Maaya t’aan: Ts’iipil che’, X tuuk English:Mexican ponytail Description: Although it looks like a palm tree, this endemic plant—it is native to the area and grows naturally only here—is a member of the agave family. Its slender trunk can grow to six meters (about 20 feet), arising from a characteristically enlarged base. Its long leaves emerge from the crown of the trunks, making it look like a tree, although technically it is not one. When in flower, a tall stalk emerges from the plant’s top. Habitat: It is found in all types of coastal forest where the soil remains relatively dry, as it…
The wildlife of the Riviera Maya and its environment III
Scientific: Brassavola nodosa Lindl English: Lady of the night orchid Description: Usually this epiphytic plant grows from a cluster of long, separate and thin bulb-like structures (pseudo-bulbs) that are attached to the trunks of trees. Each plant has a single leaf and a strong stem from which one to six white or greenish-white flowers emerge. These may emit a strong fragrance at night, which attracts the moths that pollinate them. Habitat: It grows in the coastal forests, including the mangroves, attached to tree trunks and branches where it is exposed to good air circulation and humidity. It can tolerate dry periods. Although the flowers produce many seeds, they are very…
