Nunkini bears, guardians of the carnival tradition in Calkiní, Campeche, Mexico

Abstract

In the Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico, local customs regulate the use of natural resources according to the cultural traditions of each region. In Nunkiní, Campeche, during Carnival—held between February and March—participation is collective and intergenerational, bringing together men, women, girls, boys, and elders, who dress as bears using traditional materials such as henequen fibers (Agave fourcroydes), guano palm leaves (Sabal yapa), and deer hide (Odocoileus virginianus). ?is practice, which blends symbolic and functional elements, re?ects the cultural connection between local flora, fauna, and community traditions. This study describes the process of cra?ing the traditional costumes, including the methods for obtaining and managing materials, as well as the techniques used to shape the disguises. Through active participant observation—attending the festivities, engaging directly with participants—along with a literature review and photographic evidence, the creative process is documented, as well as the transformations this tradition has undergone over time. These changes have been influenced by material availability, access to modern resources, and evolving social and environmental dynamics. The study highlights how the tradition has adapted without losing its cultural essence, o?ering a comprehensive perspective on the relationship between local culture and the natural environment.