"In the mid-19th century, several Masewal (Maya) families left their homes in Yucatan to escape the War of Races (Caste War) that had raged for years and caused thousands of deaths. Only seven people survived the long trek, during which hundreds died from starvation or illness. The initial seven were later joined by another group that arrived via a longer route. They reached Barton Creek, which th
ey were forced to abandon after several years due to an epidemic.They moved to what is present-day San Antonio in 1876. Up to 1927 they struggled to build a village and raise their children under severe limitations. Only a trail connected them to the major trading points of San Ignacio and Benque Viejo. All were illiterate. The dominant family names still reflect the groups who originally settled San Antonio, namely, the Tzib, Mai, Canto and Mesh families. In 1928, with the aid of the British Government and the Catholic Church, the Masewal established a school in San Antonio. The school changed the local world and the young people became educated, some reaching university level and now holding responsible positions in government and industry. San Antonio RC School San Antonio Catholic School
San Antonio was named after St. Anthony of Padua when a Spanish Priest who visited regularly from the town of Benque Viejo del Carmen brought a statue of St. Anthony to the Village. The statue can be seen in the Catholic Church near the Village Square. Prior to the name change, San Antonio was known in the local Yucatec Maya dialect as “Osh Multun Kakab” which translates to Three Mound Virgin Forest. Today, villagers casually refer to their village as “Tanah,” which is the Maya term for “our home.”
Statue of St. Anthony Statue of St. Anthony
In 1961, Roman Catholicism was the only religion in the Village, but the majority of the population has now converted to Pentecostal Christianity and seven different churches have been organized. Additionally, a few years ago the Jehovah Witnesses marked their presence in the Village by building a Kingdom Hall and a few families attend their meetings. Seven of these institutions offer their facilities as Hurricane Shelters."
