![]() ![]() Scenes from Atzompa cemetery Visit a Cemetery DIA DE LOS MUERTOS ALTAR OAXACA HOW TOThe following are my suggestions on how to celebrate Day of the Dead in Oaxaca: Most activities start late in the afternoon and last all night until morning the next day. My suggestion is to take it easy during the day: sleep in, have a lazy breakfast, do some souvenir shopping, or take short day trips… then in the afternoon, get ready. The array of activities in Oaxaca during this week can be overwhelming. How to Celebrate Dia de Los Muertos in Oaxaca These often depict whimsical images of skeletons or religious figures. Walking around Oaxaca during Day of the Dead you’ll see these sand tapestries, known as tapetes de arena. I’m not sure if people buy them to eat or only for decorating ofrendas.ĭrinks: such as atole, a thin warm porridge made from corn flour, cane sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla and tejate, a frothy indigenous drink made of cocoa. They come in all sorts of sizes and colors. Sugar skulls is a tradition brought by 17th-century Italian missionaries. It’s often dunked into a cup of hot chocolate for breakfast. Pan de muerto, or bread of the dead, is a type of sweet bread with decorative heads stuck into it. We didn’t see it, but saw elaborately dressed Catrinas on their way to the event. La Catrina is a female skeleton who is dressed in the style of French upper-class women. One element that’s commonly found on ofrendas are marigold flowers that are meant to guide the souls from the gravesite to the altar. An ofrenda might have several tiers and besides food and drinks, you might also find family photos or mementos. These altars are not meant for worshipping but instead to encourage the departed souls to visit the realm of the living. Ofrendas are altars containing the favorite foods and beverages of the departed, built in homes and cemeteries. Things You’ll See During Dia de Los Muertos in Oaxaca:ĭay of the Dead celebration in Oaxaca is a colorful, joyful festivity. ![]() It’s an example of a merging and integration between an incoming and an existing culture. When the Spanish came, this custom was absorbed and integrated into the Catholic’s All Saints Day (Nov 1) and All Souls Day (Nov 2), which is why the Day of the Dead is now celebrated on those days. The root of Day of the Dead comes from pre-hispanic culture: the Aztec and the Toltec where the dead were still seen as members of community. To welcome back these long lost relatives, Dia de Los Muertos is celebrated with an explosion of colors, candles, parades, and street parties. While fear is the main driving force for Halloween (the spirits are supposed to be malevolent), joy is the theme of Dia de Los Muertos because the returning spirits are beloved family members. The main difference lies in how the spirits are perceived. Halloween and Dia de Los Mueros are both based on the idea that the spirits return at that time of year. There are similarities but the two events differ in a lot of ways. Once upon a time, I used to think that Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a Mexican version of Halloween. A common sight during Dia de Los Muertos celebration in Oaxaca. We also post their tours on the calendar in addition to the other events for this holiday.Painted faces. Contact information for them is listed under the Venues and Tags button. We expecially recommend the tours offered by two non-profit organzations: The Oaxaca Lending Library and Fundacion En Via. While a tour isn't necessary to experience this holiday, they often include information and places that you may not otherwise experience, especially if you're a first or second-time visitor. Many companies and organizations conduct tours of events and cemeteries in and around Oaxaca. The altars are usually decorated with leaves and red and gold flowers, photos of the loved ones as well as their favorite food and drink. ![]() Most Mexicans also build an altar in their homes to remember and welcome the ghosts of loved ones that have passed on. There are many activities, from parades and comparsas to events at cemeteries. The "official" dates are Oct 31-Nov 2, but you'll find events from Oct 29 through Nov 4. Day of the Dead is a giant festival in Oaxaca and surrounding towns. ![]()
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