In the ceiba tree live the xtabai (sh-tah-bai’), beautiful female spirits.  Much like the sirens of Greek mythology, the xtabai possess enchanting voices that match their beauty, and, again like the sirens, they use these voices to lure men.  Do you think the xtabai and sirens may be the same?  Maybe and maybe not!  Unlike the sirens, who are said to have lured men on ships to their demise in treacherous waters, the xtabai lure men into the forest, never to be seen again.  What becomes of these men is not known.   Perhaps they are victims of a terrible fate, killed or eaten by the xtabai.   Or perhaps they enter the world of the xtabai to live eternally in unimaginable luxury and satisfaction.  One thing is known for sure, though: the wives and girlfriends of those enticed away by the xtabai generally do not care for the xtabai at all*.  No matter how attractive or loving a mortal girl or woman may be, she is no match for the xtabai.  And it takes a male of extraordinary will to resist the call of the xtabai.  In fact, there are no documented cases of successful resistance to the song of the xtabai in recent times.

*It is rumored that some women have actually encouraged their men toward the ceiba tree in hopes that the xtabai might lure them away.  It is further rumored that the women who engage in this sort of behavior may have fallen under the spell of another sort of temptation native to the (coastal) areas of the Maya lands: the "beachboy."  Unlike the dynamic of the xtabai, the beachboy infatuation is almost always temporary, and women "victims" usually reappear in boutiques, bars, or divorce court.

Xtabai FAQ:

    What language do the xtabai speak or sing?

Because the xtabai are part of Mayan lore, they are thought to use Mayan. Some experts opine that the xtabai converse in a universal language, perhaps by making sounds that are unmistakable to males once heard.   Another school of thought, probably the result of the political correctness movement, maintains that the xtabai have, in recent years, become multilingual so as to offer equal opportunity of enticement to men and boys of diverse language.

    Are there xtabai of different ages?

Yes!  Although it was once thought that all xtabai were beautiful young women appearing to be in their late teens to twenties, the recent lurings of numerous teenage, and even younger, boys suggest that there are, indeed, "teenage" and even "little girl" xtabai.

    What about older xtabai?

You’ve got to be kidding!   Political correctness goes only so far.

    Are there xtabai close to Casa Gordon?

Probably.  During the construction of Casa Gordon, a couple of workers disappeared, probably lured by xtabai.   We know there are xtabai active on Cozumel, because several hotels (which sport beautiful ceiba trees) have  histories of men disappearing from their wives and girlfriends, although sometimes just overnight.  These men report no recollection of their disappearance experience (at least to the wives and girlfriends), but often appear to smile wistfully upon attempting recollection.  This phenomenon raises questions of survival from, rejection by, and memory of the xtabai.  It would probably be a research project not wanting for volunteer subjects!

    Are there xtabai in smaller ceiba trees?

Of course.  The smaller ceibas are home to the smaller xtabai. The immature ceibas thus pose a special threat to little boys and their teenage counterparts, although teenage boys are said to be equally vulnerable to full grown ceibas… and full grown xtabai.

    Does this make for jealousy between teenage and adult xtabai?

Yes, but there is rarely a problem since you seldom find a grown ceiba close enough to a smaller ceiba to provide for any real squabbling.  (The exception seems to occur at nurseries where ceibas of different sizes may be found in close proximity.  Horrible noises in the night followed by unexplained damage to the trees appearing the following morning suggest xtabai squabbles. Experienced nurserymen and gardeners know and adhere to the proper spacing requirements for ceibas.

    Do xtabai leave the ceiba? Where else are they found?

These are unanswered questions.   Research is ongoing at this time.  Various bars and clubs throughout Cozumel said to be possibilities.

    Are there xtabai in every ceiba tree? How many?

There is a xtabai there for every man within hearing range.

    In every ceiba tree? What if there are no men around?

You’ve heard the one about "If a tree falls in the forest and there is no one there to hear it…?" Bet you didn’t know that question was simply a permutation of a much older Mayan riddle about xtabai in ceiba trees.

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