The X'tabay
The Yucatán government presents the X'tabay as a Yucatecan legend. In the stage version it publicized, the X'tabay lures night travelers. The Puuc Biocultural Reserve document also records stories of the Xtaabay in local communities.
Other tales
- Aluxes: beings of oral tradition.
- The winds: present in community stories.
- Wáay chivo: another figure recorded in the Puuc workshops.
The accounts are reported as local community myths.
Legends on stage
At FILEY 2025 (Yucatán's international book fair), students of the State Fine Arts Center staged an adaptation of the X'tabay legend combining contemporary dance, theater and music, before more than 600 people. It included elements of the Maya worldview such as aluxes, snakes and the pujuy bird.
How to tell them
A legend isn't a verified historical event. Versions differ by community and storyteller, so it's best to hear them in context, from people who know them.
Legends along the way
On town visits with Mary Tours, guides and locals sometimes share stories from the region. Trips leave from Calle 61 in downtown Mérida.
Fun facts
- The X'tabay stage work at FILEY 2025 drew more than 600 people.
- The wáay chivo appears in stories from the Puuc region.
- Yucatecan legends are passed down orally.
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Frequently asked questions
Who is the X'tabay?
A figure of Yucatecan legend who, in the stories, lures night travelers.
What other legends are there in Yucatán?
Tales of aluxes, the winds and the wáay chivo, among others.
Is there an official version?
No; versions change by community and storyteller.
Are they still performed?
Yes, for example in a stage work presented at FILEY 2025.
