Photoreport | Celebrating the dead in Mexico

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In Mexico, the last days of October and the first of November are reserved for the celebration of the Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos). During this period, cities are decorated with sculptures of orange flowers, carpets of colored sand, rich memorial altars embellished with food, skulls and drink. This cultural tradition, deeply rooted for more than 200 years, has been modernized with music processions, folk dancers, colorful costumes, painted walls and painted faces. Peek into the streets of Oaxaca.



PHOTO SARKA VANCUROVA, SPECIAL COLLABORATION

October 30 and 31 are devoted to preparation, especially of the graves. Now that the cemeteries are open again after two years of being closed due to the pandemic, people are coming to clean, paint and scrub the tombstones to make them ready for the arrival of the spirits.


PHOTO SARKA VANCUROVA, SPECIAL COLLABORATION

1er November is the Day of Faithful Spirits (Dia de los fieles muertos), dedicated to little angels, los angelitos, which represent children who died at a very young age. It is commemorated by processions of children in each district of the city, accompanied by music and sweets.


PHOTO SARKA VANCUROVA, SPECIAL COLLABORATION

The Sanchez Flores Family, aka The Addams Family, at the Children’s Spirits Celebration.


PHOTO SARKA VANCUROVA, SPECIAL COLLABORATION

On the night of 1er on November 2, death is honored with joy and gaiety, with parades of dance and music. Adult spirits are invited to earth by the smell of copal and cempasúchil.


PHOTO SARKA VANCUROVA, SPECIAL COLLABORATION

In Mexico, it is customary to hire a band to play the music that the dead listened to when they were alive. During the celebration called La Vela, the band HS Northern Music was hired to play at the grave of Juan Alberto Bartolono.


PHOTO SARKA VANCUROVA, SPECIAL COLLABORATION

Folk dancers during death processions in central Oaxaca


PHOTO SARKA VANCUROVA, SPECIAL COLLABORATION

The sculpture titled surrender (Redemption) by artist Manuel Miguel stands out among the small houses of Oaxaca.


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