We extended our stay in Guadalajara, Mexico so that we could experience Día de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) which is celebrated on October 31, November 1 and 2. This holiday is one of Mexico’s most important events of the year and honors those who have died. According to tradition, the souls of people who have died visit their families at this time. We were impressed by the large number of events and parades celebrating Día de Los Muertos and were happy to have a chance to participate in the holiday before returning to the U.S. for a few weeks.

Traditions and rituals vary from region to region in Mexico; but the celebration revolves around Altares de Ofrendas (Alters of Offerings) consisting of favorite foods and photos of the deceased as well as flowers, paper decorations, water, salt, and skeletons. These altars, which are set up in homes, businesses, and cemeteries, aid the deceased in the afterlife—a concept central to the holiday. It is not a mournful occasion but a celebration and a time for the deceased’s spirit to visit families and friends.

October 31^st is the day of preparation when families go to the cemetery to clean the grave. They begin to decorate and construct the altar to hold the offerings. November 1 and 2 are days of parades, meals with extended family and celebration.

Guadalajara sets up outdoor markets just for this holiday. These markets sell everything related to the Day of the Dead including sugar skulls, marigolds, skull masks, food and small items to be placed on the altars.

The traditional flower for the Day of the Dead is the marigold and it is believed that the vibrant orange color and scent help guide the spirits to their respective altars.

The traditional food, Pan de Muertos (Dead Bread), is a sweet bread that is eaten during the celebration and also offered on the altars and gravesites.

One of the most emblematic characters to represent the Day of the Dead is La Catrina, a classy skeletal lady that was created by Jose Guadalupe Posada in order to bring elegance and a sense of aristocracy to the celebration. Catrina comes from the word “Catrin”, meaning a distinguished gentleman who is well dressed and accompanied by his equally elegant skeletal partner.

Celebrations

People parade along the boulevard dressed up as Catrinas and there are also Catrina sculptures and art displayed throughout the city during this holiday.

We visited Parque Calaverandia where there were food, music, dancing and huge Day of the Dead displays.

In Tlaquepaque, a district in Guadalajara known for art and handicrafts, we watched Catrinas and other masked skeletons strolling along the streets. We saw altars in the parks and streets, Mariachis performed music and, of course, there was food and merchandise to buy. For a small fee, make-up artists offered to paint our faces and turn us into Catrina skeletons. We opted to wear simple masks as we paraded around the area.

Grave Sites

On November 2, we visited a cemetery to see the decorated graves. Family celebrations take place through-out the three-day holiday and relatives celebrate morning, noon or night. When we visited on Sunday afternoon, we could see remnants of celebrations from the prior night. Unfortunately, the decorations and displays took a beating from heavy rain the day before.

We saw families scattered about the cemetery, celebrating at the gravesites. One family had a small Mariachi band playing music while the family listened and sang along. We saw other families, enjoying a picnic lunch at the gravesite. Other people strolled to nearby graves paying respect to the deceased.

Celebrations at the gravesites that took place in the evenings seemed magical with candles and decorations. We could almost believe that the spirits had truly risen to partake in this traditional celebration.

While we walked among skeletons, marigolds, and the sweet bread, we observed what is at the core of Día de los Muertos: remembering and honoring our deceased family members and loved ones.