For many years I have written much about the idiosincracy of the yucatecan, and this time I want to talk about a sociological phenomenon worthy of study. This phenomenon causes a whole nucleus of people, regardless of socioeconomic level, to unite. I call it the ‘wrath of the Yucatecan.’ But what is this phenomenon? It is when the Yucatecans unite against a non-Yucatecan person who dares to mess with their customs, traditions, food, etc. For instance, the ‘Lady Pib,’ a non-Yucatecan woman, made fun of one of the most beloved dishes in Yucatan, the mucbilpollo, a traditional Mayan dish prepared for the Day of the Dead. Similarly, a non-Yucatecan individual, whose nickname I do not remember, criticized the floods in the city and Historical Center, immediately earning the general contempt of the people, to the extent that it severely affected his business and therefore his patrimony among many others examples.
Now, there is “Lady Huracán,” a woman allegedly from Monterrey, Mexico who made a video in which she says that “Yucatecans invent hurricanes so as not to work.” In short, she says that we are useless idiots who are not interested in working or being productive. In a matter of minutes, her video went viral among Yucatecans and has been shared on all social networks. The result of this? She has been torn to shreds in the comments of all the social networks; people are wrongly sharing the personal data of the person in question, and even an alleged intimate video of her is already circulating in revenge for her comments.
While anger is a normal human emotion, when it turns into anger as a response to a situation perceived as unfair, threatening, or frustrating, it ceases to be a rational feeling and becomes dangerous. When many people get together with the common purpose of harming another person, it can turn into collective harassment, which includes mockery, insults, and social exclusion, or even worse, it can derive into a violent collective action where a group of people physically assaults a person, to take justice into their own hands.
This type of behavior cannot and should not be justified. However, the prudence of the non-Yucatecan should play an important role. The Yucatecan, sociologically speaking, has unique cultural and social characteristics that have been molded through centuries of history, pre-Hispanic, colonial, and contemporary influences. In Merida and Yucatan, there is a strong regional identity, which is not seen in any other state of the Mexican Republic, to such a degree that it is distinguished even from the rest of Mexico. Many Yucatecans refer to themselves first as “Yucatecans” rather than “Mexicans.” Understanding this unique culture is crucial for outsiders, as it can help prevent misunderstandings and conflicts.
In addition, the social life of Yucatecans is marked by a strong sense of community and hospitality. That is to say, the Yucatecan is closed regarding community life and is never disrespectful to outsiders, although they are not necessarily sociable either. We are kind, hospitable, and to some extent “trustworthy” of “outsiders” but with reserves due to historically rooted issues. If that trust is broken, violated, or attacked, beware! The “Yucatecan’s wrath” is as extreme as a “Sicilian vendetta.”
Yucatecans are extremely territorial and conservative when it comes to preserving our identity, culture, traditions, and customs. Pride in these generates a strong resistance to outside influences. Although there has been significant modernization in recent decades, especially in Mérida and other cities in the state’s interior, we continue to be extremely jealous of what is ours.
In short, the Yucatecan is a person proud of his or her roots, with a strong sense of community, closely tied to his or her ancestral heritage, and influenced by modernity. This combination of ancient traditions and contemporary adaptations makes the Yucatecan a sociologically interesting figure within Mexican diversity. One thing should be clear: It is a serious mistake to provoke the “wrath of the Yucatecan,” as the consequences can be severe and long-lasting.
For Times Media Mexico / The Yucatan Times
José E. Urioste Palomeque
October 08 2024
Merida, Yucatan
—
José E. Urioste is a Yucatecan businessman and a seasoned Business Intelligence professional with over 25 years of experience. In addition to his business acumen, Mr. Urioste writes for multiple media outlets nationwide. His writings are engaging and critical. Unafraid to tackle controversial topics and challenge prevailing norms with a clear and often unyielding perspective. He has significantly contributed to the media landscape, sharing his insights through articles and hosting radio shows that provide in-depth social, business, financial, and political analysis. His influence extends beyond the media, as he is a published author.
