Day of the Dead

Day of the Dead Altar in Mexico

While the U.S. is celebrating Halloween, Mexico is celebrating their own unique celebration--Day of the Dead. Almost every town in Mexico has their own special celebration but a few towns are well known for how Day of the Dead is celebrated--Oaxaca is one of those towns. Every year many people come to Oaxaca to observe and participate in this unique tradition.

It is actually not just one day...the Day of the Dead festivities begin on October 31 and lasts until November 2.

October 31 is the day when people buy orange marigold-like flowers and special food to put on an altar that is located in almost every home, store, school and office in Oaxaca. The evening of October 31 people go to the local cemetery where they decorate the graves of their loved ones that have died. They are at the cemetery all night and share food and drink--almost like a picnic except not in a park or at the beach but inside of the cemetery.

November 1 is the day that honors children and infants that have died. It is also known as Day of the Innocents or Day of the Little Angels. The belief is that these little souls return and partake of the food located on the altar made especially for them. Incense is burned to purify the souls and a path of the orange flowers is made from the street to the house--so the souls don't get lost.

November 2 is the actual Day of the Dead when other people that have died are remembered. On the afternoon of November 2 a goodbye is said to the departing souls and church bells begin ringing indicating that the Day of the Dead celebration is over until next year.

Family gathering at the cemetery on Day of the Dead