pib

The village shaman performs a ceremony as an underground oven, or pib is opened.

Copal incense is a part of traditional Maya religious ritual. The village shaman performs a ceremony as an underground oven, or pib is opened. Pork that has roasted there overnight will form part of the Day of the Dead celebration in this Mexico town. © Jane Ammeson, 2009 2009

As part of the Day of the Dead ceremonies in Pac Chen, pork is cooked overnight in an underground oven, or pib.

As part of the Day of the Dead ceremonies in Pac Chen, pork is cooked overnight in an underground oven, or pib. The village shaman performs a ceremony as the food is uncovered. Pac Chen is a traditional Maya village off the beaten tourist track. © Jane Ammeson, 2009 2009

He waves sweet incense and chants in the ancient Maya dialect which is distinctly different from Spanish as he circles the pib.

Hanal Pixan, Maya Day of the Dead in Pac Chen, Quintana Roo 2009

Pork is wrapped in banana leaves, seasoned with ground annatto seeds or achiote, and roasted overnight in an underground oven, called a pib.

Pork is wrapped in banana leaves, seasoned with ground annatto seeds or achiote, and roasted overnight in an underground oven, called a pib. The oven gives cochinita pipil its name. © Jane Ammeson, 2009 2009

As this part of the meal nears completion, the men, many of whom have been playing with the children of this small village (some 100 residents in all), begin to gather around the pib, the deep hole in the ground that was dug the night before.

Hanal Pixan, Maya Day of the Dead in Pac Chen, Quintana Roo 2009

The pib, or underground oven is uncovered by the villlage shaman in Pac Chen, a tiny Maya village.

The pib, or underground oven is uncovered by the villlage shaman in Pac Chen, a tiny Maya village. The pot contains pork that has roasted overnight. The food is a part of the Day of the Dead celebration in this Mexico town. © Jane Ammeson, 2009 2009

As this part of the meal nears completion, the men, many of whom have been playing with the children of this small village (some 100 residents in all), begin to gather around the pib, the deep hole in the ground that was dug the night before.

Hanal Pixan, Maya Day of the Dead in Pac Chen, Quintana Roo 2009

He waves sweet incense and chants in the ancient Maya dialect which is distinctly different from Spanish as he circles the pib.

Hanal Pixan, Maya Day of the Dead in Pac Chen, Quintana Roo 2009

I also think that the ingredients in Yucatan are so interesting: the tropical fruits; the habanero, one of the world's hottest chiles; achiote, indigenous to the Amazon basin but used primarily in "Mayaland;" chaya, one of the world's healthiest vegetables; our pib, or pit, cooking; and the unique tamales not found anywhere else in Mexico.

Cooking in the Yucatan: bright flavors and unique ingredients 2008

I also think that the ingredients in Yucatan are so interesting: the tropical fruits; the habanero, one of the world's hottest chiles; achiote, indigenous to the Amazon basin but used primarily in "Mayaland;" chaya, one of the world's healthiest vegetables; our pib, or pit, cooking; and the unique tamales not found anywhere else in Mexico.

Cooking in the Yucatan: bright flavors and unique ingredients 2008