In 1847 the Mayans went to war in the Yucatan Peninsula, in what is known as the Caste War. Knowing that the Mayans were very close, Casimiro Cardenas looked for shelter at a church in the town of Saban. When the Mayans attacked, the shelter was useless, and many members of his party died in the attack. Casimiro, badly wounded and covered with blood, was holding a crucifix in his hand. In a moment of consciousness, he made a promise, that if he ever reached a safe place and settled, for the rest of his life every year, he would hold a solemn service to honor the Holy Cross.
The survivors of the attack continued their journey, among them the young Casimiro. They arrived on the Island of Cozumel and founded the village of El Cedral over the ruins of the ancient town of Oycib.
After settling, Casimiro fulfilled his promise and celebrated the first service to honor the Holy Cross. When Don Casimiro Caldenas died, his wife continued the religious festivities. Today, their descendants, the Cardenas Montero Family are keepers of the Festival of the Holy Cross of Saban.
Years have passed and going to El Cedral with the family to celebrate the Holy Cross has become a tradition. In 1975 the authorities agreed with the Cardenas Family to include with the religious festivities commercial and recreational events. Today, the festival is the oldest in the State with 146 years of uninterrupted celebration. The Festival at El Cedral includes regional handicraft exhibitions, horse races, bull fights, rooster fights, gastronomy, and many cultural events.
Festivities are held between April 23 with prayers at dawn and ends nine days later on May 3rd with the traditional dance "Cabeza de Cerdo" which symbolizes Jesus Christ sacrifice.
