Línstakni (soul), linin (death), kgalhpuxam (flower of the dead), tsiyuna (grandmother), kimpapa ‘(my grandfather), aklukut (skull, skull), baku (heart), chukchuk (Papantla flower) are some of the words of the Totonaca language that are still used in the state of Veracruz and that grandparents continue to inherit to their families.
This weekend is a great opportunity to learn about pre-Hispanic traditions and Veracruz gastronomy since the Festival “El peregrinar de las Almas” will take place, the first Totonacapan event dedicated to the Day of the Dead celebrations, Takilhsukut Park , in Papantla.
The people of Veracruz will show Totonac traditions, present beautiful Day of the Dead altars, live the night walks, learn about regional crafts and textiles. “The pilgrimage of Souls” includes various activities such as workshops, musical presentations, talks, dances and endless activities for the whole family.
The Takilhsukut Park is located on the Poza Rica – San Andrés highway at kilometer 17.5, has 17 hectares and is considered the guardian of the preservation of the Totonaca Culture. It is the scene of the Ritual Ceremony of the Voladores de Papantla and the home of the Cumbre de Tajín Festival. It has the Indigenous Arts Center that seeks to spread the local culture, from there Kaitiyán the House of Grandparents arose that teach the Totonac worldview.
Inside the park is the niche of aromas and flavors, which is responsible for publicizing the typical gastronomy of the site since it highlights the flavor of the traditional Totonac cuisine that is made from grains (corn, beans, rice), vegetables such as tomato, onion, chili peppers and mushrooms, and those in charge of the kitchen are known as “the smoke women” this refers to because all the elderly people who spent their entire lives cooking their hair smelled of smoke from the charcoal ovens.
The park is located in the heart of Totonacapan and is considered the main center of the Veracruz indigenous community and the most conducive place for dialogue with other cultures of Mexico and the world.
Xóchitl Arbesú Lago, the head of the Ministry of Tourism and Culture of the state of Veracruz commented that entry to the festival will be free of charge and that they will continue to take extreme measures with biosanitary measures, despite the fact that the state of Veracruz is already in the Green Traffic Light.
He explained that part of the attractions within the area is the proximity to the magical town of Papantla, the Tajín Archaeological Zone and the activities per se of the Takilhsukut Park such as the Smoke Cooks, the artisans and of course, the mythical Voladores of Papantla. He said that the event also serves as an economic engine for the region, since this was one of the most affected by the recent passage of Hurricane “Grace”, in addition to having experienced difficult times with the Covid-19 pandemic.
Reference-www.eleconomista.com.mx