Xtepén

Xtepén is a village in the municipality of Umán, about 6 km south of the city of Umán and some 20 km south-west of Mérida. It had 552 people at the 2020 census. Its name comes from the Maya ek'pepem, translated as '(black) butterfly'. Before the conquest the area belonged to the Maya province of Ah Canul. Xtepén is also the gateway to Hotzuc, a smaller village 7 km to the east along a side road.

The village grew around the hacienda of the same name, which dates from the 17th century. Like other estates along the camino real between Campeche and Mérida, it first raised maize and later turned to henequen, which spread across Yucatán during and after the Caste War of the 19th century. With the agrarian reform of 1937 the fields became an ejido, while the main buildings stayed in private hands. The historic core was later fully restored with private funds by its owner, Raúl Casares G. Cantón, and is held up as an example of Yucatán's colonial architecture; it is a private property, and from the road you see its stone walls, yellow arched gateways, an orange main house and a tall white water tower.

Xtepén is also known for its stone carvers, whose sculptures have earned a reputation well beyond Yucatán. Maya remains have turned up nearby too: pieces found during road building were moved for safekeeping and display, and the INAH has reported a Maya altar found in the village. The centre is a wide grassy park with a small white church with a bell gable.