Da de Muertos takes place in Mexico from October to November. An annual remembrance of departed souls, the holiday earned a designation as an 'intangible cultural heritage' by Unesco in 2003 and is one of the world's most universally familiar festivals.
Children eating candy skulls, shops selling marzipan coffins, and locals dressed in skeleton costumes can be found on the city streets. Mexicans and visitors alike use this time to celebrate life, and the celebrations are full of music, food and family.
Many Mexicans believe that their dead can return to their homes at this time of year because of a belief system that was corrupted by the Catholic conquistadors. The Catholic conquistadors moved the celebrations to the day after All Saints' Day in order to integrate the holiday into their culture.
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While Día de Muertos technically takes place from the night of 1 Nov through the next day, festivities celebrating the event stretch to cover a full week. Parades highlighting the holiday’s most famous skeleton character – a representation of Death herself called La Calavera Catrina, popularized in art by Diego Rivera – serve as a lead-in to main events, particularly in Mexico City, where the colorful Grand Procession of the Catrinas kicks off in the Zocálo and winds its way through the capital's streets. This year's event will take place on Saturday, October 29.
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In the run up to Da de Muertos, families make paths to help spirits find their way home, starting with an arch made of bright-yellow marigolds. An altar or ofrenda is built and filled with offerings to the visitors: flowers, ribbons, colored candles, tamales, fruit and corn. The container of water and pan de muerto are important additions. The loaf is adorned with fruit and eggs and is a symbol of death. The favorite dishes of dead loved ones are cooked by families.
There is a visit to the cemetery. There could be a carnival with rides and stands selling food. Families spend a day cleaning the graves and decorating them with candles and flowers of the dead. There are skeletons in dresses, jewelry, boas and hats on the street.
The Day of the Dead can be celebrated at home.
Da de Muertos is a family-oriented celebration that takes place all over the country. In southern Mexico, the Indigenous culture is strong. The City of the Dead is a neighborhood in southeast Mexico City that used to be part of the Aztec empire.
Oaxaca, where there are graveyard tours and a 'best altar' competition, is a popular destination for those who want to see the holiday in person.
In Puebla, a city southeast of Mexico City known for its cuisine and colonial architecture, visitors can attend events at museums, theaters and other arts venues.
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If you happen to be in the north of the nation's capital, you can attend the 'La Calaca' festival which takes place from October 28 toNovember 2. The canoes arrive on Janitzio Island in the middle of Lake Ptzcuaro and begin a nightlong party.
On the other side of the country in the Maya region, the Day of the Dead is called Hanal Pixan. There are two other places that are not to be missed. More than 70,000 people gather to recreate a route that souls take in the city, past hundreds of altars, during the Paseo de las nimas parade.
It's worth leaving the main towns and cities to attend the festivities in small villages. Many Indigenous towns celebrate Da de Muertos in a different way than the rest of the country.
Regardless of where you celebrate, you will have an unforgettable experience.
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The article was first published about a year ago.
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