Introduction to the Tradition
In Pomuch, a small town in the Mexican state of Campeche, families follow an ancient Mayan and Catholic-blended ritual of cleaning the bones of their loved ones before the Day of the Dead, one of Mexico’s most significant celebrations. This tradition has attracted tourists and content creators with drones to witness this unique practice.
The Story of María Couoh
María Couoh, a 62-year-old homemaker, perpetuates this ancestral tradition by meticulously cleaning the bones of her late uncle, Tomás. Due to his blindness, Tomás missed family gatherings in his later life. María humorously recalls her late uncle, saying, “You can’t go to the party, but here’s a beer for you.”
The Cleaning Ritual
After cleaning Tomás’ cranium, María places it along with other bones on a white cloth inside a wooden box. She emotionally shares that her uncle had no children, so she takes it upon herself to clean his remains to prevent them from becoming “too dirty.”
The Process and Symbolism
Approximately three years after a person’s death, the organic matter decomposes, breaking the front slab of the chamber. The family then retrieves the coffin, cleans the bones, and places them in a small wooden box. A white cloth symbolizing the garments of the souls is changed annually during the bone cleaning.
Family Involvement and Intergenerational Teaching
Carmita Reyes, a 39-year-old homemaker, ensures her daughter learns this ritual and participates with her. Carmita expresses her wish not to be cremated, preferring traditional burial and subsequent bone cleaning. She says, “I don’t want to be cremated; I want to be buried this way, and my bones cleaned.”
Challenges for Younger Generations
Despite the importance of this tradition, young children like Lucía May, four years old, may find it unsettling. When confronted with the bone boxes containing her relatives’ remains, Lucía becomes frightened and runs back to the main street of Pomuch, Calzada de los Muertos. Her father, David, a 40-year-old teacher and Pomuch native, explains that they are working to familiarize Lucía with their customs.
