Papantla
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◈ In the north of the state, in the middle of the subtropical forest, is Papantla, “the city that perfumes the world” with its large vanilla fields. Every morning begins clean and beautiful; its narrow, cobbled streets are filled with people who are proud of their roots.
Everything in this place is linked to birds, wind, and taking flight. This is the birthplace of the famous voladores, Papantla is steeped in tradition and zealously protects its Totonaca origins.
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◆ Enjoy a few besos papantecos in the Nakú restaurant.
◆ Take a ceramics class in the Centro de las Artes Indígenas.
◆ Relax on one of the beaches on the Esmeralda Coast.
Watch the “voladores” or flying men ritual, surrounded by the El Tajín pyramids.
❖ Cumbre Tajín
Cumbre Tajín, or the Festival of Identity, is a multicultural event where you can enjoy, learn about, and get closer to the culture of Totonacapan.
This celebration welcomes in the spring during one week in March, a festival defined by ceremonial buildings and people who are proud of their roots and customs, which have survived since time immemorial.
❖ Museo Teodoro Cano
The paintings of Teodoro Cano García capture the Totonaca people’s rich vision of the world.
Visit the interesting museum where you will learn at depth about the culture and traditions of this Magical Town. Explore its archeology, history, ethnography, and typical clothing halls, and the little Totonaca House. Besides, here you can admire the work of Teodoro Cano, a famous artist who was born in Papantla. The work of the students from the art workshops is also exhibited, as well as pieces that represent local identity.
❖ Mural escultórico a la cultura Totonaca
This work belongs to Teodoro Cano, a piece that represents the history, culture, and evolution of the Totonaca people. It’s 275-foot long, and 13-foot wide.
On the left side, the mural begins with the figure of the god Tajín (the god of rain and thunder) at the top of a staircase, replicating the original work located in front of the monument number five of the archeological city of Tajín.
❖ Let Yourself Be Astonished by the Voladores
On top of a tall pole, the group leader beats the drum and plays the flute to invoke the generative elements of life, the cardinal points, as well as the cosmic union of the Sun and the Earth. Then the four voladores jump into the air head-first, a rope tied to their waists, and they descend in circles to ask the gods to bless them with fertility.
❖ Explore the World of Totonaca Handicrafts
Takilhsukut Theme Park, home to the Centro de las Artes Indígenas, was created with the aim of preserving Totonaca culture.
Over the course of the year there are 16 courses offered at this art center, administrated by the wise people and Totonaca elders who coordinate traditional teaching methods and the ancestral ways of transmitting knowledge.
Here, students can learn about different topics, such as traditional medicine, ancestral dances, the voladores ritual, sculptural ceramics, music, textile production, theatre, and traditional cooking, among other subjects.
Thanks to its work conserving Totonaca culture, the center was recognized in 2012 by UNESCO as Intangible Heritage of Humanity.
❖ Acércate a la cultura de Papantla
Otros de los edificios de interés de Papantla son la Capilla de Cristo Rey, construida a mediados del siglo pasado, y que es una pequeña copia de la catedral de Notre Dame en París, el Museo de la Ciudad, el Museo Teodoro Cano, donde se exhiben colecciones de piezas prehispánicas de barro, pinturas y otras obras del maestro Cano y de estudiantes del taller de Papantla, el Museo de las Máscaras, el del Totonacapan y la Casa de la Cultura.
❖ Festival Ninín
For the Totonaca people, the festivities of All Saints Day is called Ninín (a word referring to the dead in Totonaca).
People of all ages participate in this celebration, and during these days, there are altars and food everywhere you look, especially tamales. It takes place between the 28th of October and the 2nd of November, and is equivalent to the Day of the Dead. During these days, diverse activities aim to show visitors how the region’s popular culture traditions are carried out.
When: October-November
