Chankom Municipality

Chankom Municipality, located in the Mexican state of Yucatán, covers an area of 137.95 km² and is situated approximately 135 km southeast of Mérida. The region has a rich history, with evidence of pre-Columbian populations but little specific information about its inhabitants before the Spanish arrival. The Caste War of Yucatán caused depopulation, and the area remained uninhabited until the 1890s.

Chankom was established as a ranchería under the Valladolid region in 1928 and became an independent municipality seven years later, in 1935. Anthropologists Robert and Margaret Park Redfield, along with Alfonso Villa Rojas, conducted extensive research there between 1931 and 1948, publishing several works on Maya culture. Another anthropologist, Alicia Re Cruz, lived in Chankom from 1986 to 2006 and produced studies on village life and a documentary about tourism and identity.

The municipality is governed by an elected president for a three-year term, supported by a council of four members responsible for various public services. There are 17 populated places within the municipality, including Chuntabil, Maykab, and Xcalakdzonot.

Chankom celebrates its patron saint, San Diego, from November 9 to 13 annually. The area is known for its archaeological sites, such as Cosil, Kochila, Ticimul, and Xcocail, and numerous cenotes like Cenote Chankom and Cenote Nicte-Ha, making it a destination for tourism and cultural exploration.