Currently, in various regions of Guatemala, the tradition of the Mayas is still practiced.
A Modern Tradition
During the Day of the Dead, known as the Hanal Pixan festival, which means 'Food of the Souls,' families gather to prepare special dishes as offerings to their loved ones who have passed away.
Among the offerings is "Pib Chicken" or "Mukbi Chicken," where in Maya, Muk means to bury or entomb, and Bil means to twist or stir.
This refers to the way the chicken is cooked: a stew is made with chicken, or in some cases with pork and nixtamalized corn. Large tamales are prepared, wrapped in banana leaves, and then baked in the earth like a grave; this process is known as Pib.
Digging in the Kitchen
Therefore, following the tradition, family men dig a hole in the ground called the "Pib" and at the bottom, they place dry firewood covered with stones, in accordance with Maya customs.
Before the arrival of Spanish colonizers, they used to cook wild game such as deer or turkey instead of chicken, depending on what they hunted.
These meats were later replaced by pork, blending pre-Hispanic traditions, in this case of Maya culture, with Spanish influences.
Any type of meat can be used for Pibil; for example, cochinita pibil is marinated with orange and achiote, wrapped in banana leaves, and buried in a hole in the ground with charcoal, allowing the meat to steam and cook.
