Maya Calendar Mystery
Apocalypse or beginning of a new era? The Mayan calendar has fuelled scientific study, speculation and fear around the world. But having visited the Mayan region of México recently, I witnessed no end-of-world predictions.
Quite the opposite: the country’s newest tourist region of ‘Riviera Maya’ on the south Caribbean coast of the Yucatán Peninsula is experiencing a surge of growth. Development proceeds apace with an impressive example of sustainable ecotourism and luxury amid lush rainforests, subterranean caves and archaeological ruins.
Pursuing a path of eco-consciousness is appropriate considering the possibility that Mayan civilization may have died out due to deforestation and subsequent climate change (drought) due partly to overpopulation. Increased social tensions and warfare were also thought to have been factors. The world could take note. Arrival of the Spanish conquistadores with their war horses, armour and diseases in the 16th century was merely the coup de grâce for any power held by the remaining 10% of the population.
The jungle reclaimed Mayan cities, with centuries of knowledge in architecture, astronomy and philosophy lost to the world until being uncovered in the 1920’s and 30’s. Elements of Indiana Jones adventures permeate the region – from luminous limestone caverns and isolated jungle pyramids to bizarre human rituals — based on fact, fiction and legends from this previously forgotten part of the world.
Mayan culture and traditions have survived in the villages, with local tours such as those offered by Tres Reyes pueblo (www.alltournative.com) which include a walk through a sink hole, a blessing ceremony and some rappelling — a strange combination, to be sure. Within the Mayan community some hesitate to participate in traditional ceremonies, regarding these as unchristian, whereas others acknowledge a universal sense of caring.
Large modern family oriented theme parks such as Xcaret (www.xcaret.com) offer a wide-ranging view of the country’s biodiversity and cultural history, especially with the not-to-be-missed evening show, México Espectacular.
Nature sanctuaries like Xcaret, Xel-Há, Xplor (3 outdoor adventure parks) and the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve (www.sinkiaantours.org) plunge visitors (literally, with water parks) into a world of tropical exotica.
But what about that calendar? December 21, 2012 marks the end of the 5,125-year Maya Long Count Calendar era and the beginning of the next. It’s regarded by the Maya as a favourable change rather than a catastrophic end to the world.
Another mystery explained.
Riviera Maya is experiencing a tourism boom, and with the December opening of a new archaeological Mayan Museum in nearby Cancun, the region is looking back only to move forward with no end in sight. As for me, I’m still buying green bananas.
PHOTOS
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Story and photos copyright © Gary Crallé 2012. No commercial reproduction without written consent.
Riviera Maya www.rivieramaya.com
Hotel Hacienda Tres Rios www.haciendatresrios.com
Hotel Grand Velas Riviera Maya http://rivieramaya.grandvelas.com/