Maní has been continuously occupied for approximately 4,000 years. In the postclassic Mesoamerican era it was home to the Tutal Xiu Maya dynasty, which moved their capital here from Uxmal in the 13th century. The Xiu were the dominant power in the western Yucatan after the fall of Mayapan in 1441. A yearly festival in honor of the deity Kukulcan was held here.
With the arrival of the Spanish the Xiu of Mani allied themselves with the Spanish and assisted in the conquest of the rest of the peninsula.
In July of 1562 the first Bishop of Yucatán, Diego de Landa, held a great bonfire of Maya books here, saying that they "contained nothing but the lies of the Devil".
The town has an old Franciscan monastery established in 1549, the Parroquia y Exconvento de San Miguel Arcangel. The large building was build using many cut stones from Pre-Columbian buildings of Maní. Inside are some early colonial era fresco murals. Restoration work on the monastery building and its artwork began in 2001.
The area around Maní is largely devoted to agriculture, principly henequin, maize, cattle, and fruit. Hammocks are made in the city.
Each 15 to 24 of August Maní holds a festival in honor of the Virgin of the Assession. Each 3 January is a festival of the Virgin of Candlemas.
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