By Henri Bauholz
Cancun and Isla Mujeres are two
resort islands located along the Yucatan Coast in the state of Quintana Roo,
Mexico. The two places are mostly known as resort places today although each has a colorful past that dates back to the height of the Mayan Empire over a thousand years ago. Since Mayan times the island has seen a host of colorful characters that includes military combatants, fisherman, pirates, smugglers and slave traders.
Island of Women
Isla Muheres translates from the Spanish to mean island of women. Many historians believe the name goes back to pre-Columbian days and the temple of the Mayan goddess, Ixchel that was located on the island. According to the historical record, native women would journey to the island to visit the temple and seek her guidance.
The Mayan Language
Cancun is actually believed to be a pair of words, derived from the Mayan language that mean "nest of snakes." Originally, the island was named Cancun Island by the Spanish. There are a few small pieces of archaeological ruins present today, evidence that the Mayans lived here in pre-Columbian times.
Recent Development of Cancun
The town of Cancun began in the late sixties as a government concept to build a few hotels and attract a tourist industry to the island. The plan has worked very well. Now Cancun is a major tourist destination with numerous high rise hotels located on the island.
Mundaca The Pirate
Fermin Anonio Mundaca y Marecheaga was born in Spain but flourished on Isla Mujeres after 1850 as a slave trader, who sold Mayan women to Cuba to work on the plantations, although he often claimed to be a pirate at the time. He built a huge hacienda for himself on the island that is now open to the public. He fell in love with a young woman, who was 37 years his junior. He went insane when she refused his love and proposal of marriage.
Tourism On Isla Mujeres
Tourism developed much slower on this island, dating back long before the slew of hotels that were recently put in at Cancun. As a result Isla Muheres has fewer high-rise hotels and a large Spanish-speaking population that is not as dependent on the tourist trade as Cancun.
War of the Castes
Native culture held out much longer here than it did in other places around Mexico. This is most evident in the Caste War that took place all across the Yucatan Peninsula in the middle years of the 19th century, from 1847 to 1853. This conflict pitted the Spanish settlers against the old Maya nation. Remnants of the Mayans either fled to Guatemala and Belize or resettled in less populated parts of the peninsula. Although no longer at war, their presence is still very much felt today.
About the Author:
Henri Bauholz is a professional writer covering a variety of topics, including hiking, camping, foreign travel and nature. He has written travel articles for several online publications and his travels have taken him all over the world, from Mexico to Latin America and across the Atlantic to Europe.
