Dia de los Muertos

Dia de los Muertos. What a holiday full of traditions! I was certainly impressed…The holiday began a few nights before Nov 1st with children dressing up in costumes and going house to house singing a chant that they are angels that have come down from heaven and they are asking for sweets. Even the poorest children will make their own masks and participate in the tradition…Then Nov 1st was the Day of the Dead for Children or Day of the Angels. Children who have passed on are remembered and their graves are visited by their families. Nov 2nd was the Day of the Dead or All Soul’s Day where all who have passed on are remembered. Families will erect altars in the memory of their loved ones, placing not only flowers and candles but also food or things that they enjoyed in their lives (for example, if a little girl passed on they could place candy or her favorite doll on the altar).

I went to the panteon or cemetery to see what it was all about and the place was swarming with people and vendors (flowers, candles, food, toys!). There are colorful tombs of all shapes and sizes, some are small houses that may host a few family members. There are even old houses from the 1500s that resemble chapels. All are beautifully decorated with flowers. Families go visit and pray for the soul of their loved one. They even bring food and hang out for a while. Families may even request a special song for their loved one from the mariachis or other musicians that are roaming the cemetery.

I attended a special mass at the cemetery chapel at noon. It was nice to be outdoors and pray for the souls of those that have passed on. It was incredible to observe these traditions and how important this day is for Mexicans!