THE SPIRIT Xtabay

Painting of Xtabay - a woman in a white off-the-shoulder dress, with long flowing black hair, dark skin, and white flowers in her hair. By Michelle Franzoni Thorley — Portrait of Xtabay by Michelle Franzoni Thorley
no other use permitted without written permission from the artist

Once upon a time in the Mayan Yucatan, a kind, beautiful lady was murdered and left at the base of a tree. But that was just the beginning!

Join Katie on-location in Valladolid, Mexico, as her guest Jesus Cetzal recounts the age-old story of Xtabay, who has been exacting her revenge in the Yucatan for centuries. Late at night, she lures drunken men to her ceiba tree, then drags them down into the Underworld!

Our stunning portrait of Xtabay was created for us by Michelle Franzoni Thorley, aka Flora Familiar.

A green pool lies within a dark cavern full of overhanging stalagtites — Dos Ojos Cenote
photo by Katie Nelson

A large white structure resembling a tent with a woman's torso and face at the top curves around a central open space — The statue of Xtabay in Chichi Suarez which surrounds a living ceiba tree
photo by Oswaldo Matú

The ceiba tree is reputed to be the home of Xtabay — A 300-year-old ceiba tree
photo by KST447

image of a Late Postclassic Maya book showing various trees and figures, with the ceiba tree in the center of the world. The ceiba tree is reputed to be the home of Xtabay — An image from the Madrid Codex (replica) in the Museum of the Americas, Madrid, showing the world tress with the ceiba tree in the center
photo by Simon Burchell

a woman swims in a green-water pool in an overhanging cave — Katie swims in a cenote in the Yucatan
photo by Marc Nelson

Xtabentun liquor, made of the flowers “belonging to” Xtabay and Utz-colel
photo by Katie Nelson

Katie Nelson and Jesus — Jesus Antonio Cupul Cetzal takes a break from work to share the story of Xtabay
photo by Marc Nelson

Jesus Antonio Cupul Cetzal is native Maya from the little town of Yalcoba, Mexico. He studies in Valladolid, Yucatan, but everything he knows about his proud Mayan heritage, he learned from his parents and grandparents. Everyday, he aims to learn something new.

Music featured in this episode included:

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