Visiting the cemetery

Since the Dia de Muertos is dedicated to remembering and honoring those who have passed on, it stands to reason that the cemetery would be the focus of attention. We walked down this small street which leads to a nearby cemetery. It had been transformed into a market selling flowers, food, and all manner of goods for the decoration of the graves.








Skulls, animals, food etc. made of sugar are a,popular item for decorating altars and graves. The variety was amazing!


They were holding a mass in the cemetery when we got there.

Click here for Mass in the cemetery





This grave had an elaborate arrangement of the traditional marigolds and sugar skulls.


The salt spread on the ground in the shape of a cross is supposed to have a purifying effect.



An incense called copal is often burned. It is a dried tree sap that has been used since the days of the Aztecs. I bought some in the market but haven't burned it yet.



Families were cleaning up around the graves, repainting, pulling weeds etc. There were mariachis walking around singing as some families sat picnicking and telling stories at the grave sites .
Click here to see the mariachis

Here are some pics of another altar went went to see in a home. It is slightly different since these people are from Oaxaca. It was in memory of his father and her grandmother.


Those are loves of bread along the front with a huge loaf at the back. It is believed that the dead consume the "essence" of the food. For this reason it is supposedly without taste when it is consumed by the family members at the end of the celebration.



More pictures from the home we visited (actually it was a beautiful B&B).





Day of the dead is a very colorful and interesting tradition. The emphasis is on family. There is no trace of the glorification of violence, blood and gore that dominates in the states. It recognizes death as a part of life, and not in a fearful way. Pranks, scaring people, and kids begging for candy aren't a part of the experience. I like this way of doing things very much.

Day of the Dead

On November 1st Mexico celebrates and honors all those who have passed on. It is not like the trick or treat custom in the U.S. There is basically only one costume and that is the skeleton. The treats are laid out in altars to memorialize individuals who are being remembered. In the evening everyone meets in the town square to get their face painted and to admire the elaborate costumes. The ultimate costume is that of Catrina, who has come to represent the idea that rich or poor, we are all skeletons under the skin. .





For some reason I don't quite understand, some people only get half their face painted








Below is one of the giant altars constructed by a group of students.


Altars, also called offrendas, are everywhere. Here is one in a restaurant where we ate.



A store


Another thing you will find are the giant puppets called mojigangas.



They have a starring role in the parade of the Catrinas into the plaza. It was packed, as you can see. I never felt unsafe, didn't see any drunk people or any fights or scuffles, actually no obnoxious behavior at all!

Click here to see the parade

There was a competition to determine who had the best Catrina costume. This lady, a gringa named Claudia, won this year.



I know you are all wondering so, no, I didn't paint my face or dress up. Maybe next year! I think this is the coolest costume, all made out of paper plates, cup and plastic utensils. Wish I could have seen it in person, but actually just found it on the web. Maybe me next year!