Day of the Dead Celebration in Chiapas, Mexico

What is Day of the Dead

For the last few days, I have been enjoying the riches of San Cristobal de las Casas and the spectacle that is “Día de los Muertos” or Day of the Dead. The city is alive with energy as inhabitants remember lost friends and family members. Far from being a somber occasion where people wallow in sorrow, Día de los Muertos is a celebration of life and those that have passed. In fact when the Spanish arrived in what is now Mexico they tried to stamp out the holiday because they thought it mocked death. They failed and Day of the Dead still thrives.

See also:

• Road Trip to the Pacific Coast of Chiapas
• Bicycling from San Cristobal to Chiapa de Corzo
• Street Food | Cervecita Dulce or Sweet Beer

The origins of Día de los Muertos celebration among Mexico’s indigenous cultures can be traced back almost 3,000 years.  The festival that became the modern Day of the Dead originally took place in August but like so many religious traditions it morphed and became intertwined with the Catholic All Saints Day, November 1^st and All Souls Day, November 2^nd. Generally, November 1^st is considered to be the day when infants and children are honored and November 2^nd is the day when adults are honored but to me, it seemed like everyone was being celebrated all week.

When is the Day of the Dead

Traditionally October 31^st is for cleaning graves. They are made to look fresh, i.e. recently dug with the dirt piled up, fresh pine needles (representing eternal life) and chrysanthemum petals are scattered over the tops.  Finally, planks of wood representing doors are placed on top. On November 1^st, the party begins! Offerings include the deceased’s favorite food and drink, favorite objects and in the case of adults, cigarettes and alcoholic beverages are placed on the graves to be shared with the departed. The “doors” are opened so friends and family can have conversations with their loved ones. Everyone seems to have a good time. There is some mourning in evidence but there are also many smiles and much laughter. In talking about it, it all seems a bit morbid and maybe somewhat disrespectful but after experiencing it in person it is very life affirming and quite uplifting.

Día de los Muertos Celebration in Chiapas, Mexico

I decided to spend November 1^st at El Romerillo, a small Chamulan village located northeast of San Cristobal. The cemetery at El Romerillo sits atop a large rise that is covered with huge, blue wooden crosses. Remarkably crosses in the Chamulan culture substantially pre-date Christianity. Also, new small color-coded crosses are placed on the graves to indicate the nature of the person buried there (adult, child, male, female, etc.) and the older crosses are left in place or allowed to litter the site. The cleaned graves give the eerie impression that deceased loved ones could rise from the earth at any moment.

What is Attending a Día de los Muertos Celebration Like

There are colorful chrysanthemums everywhere, [presumably to attract the deceased to their offerings]. Freshly cut pine trees are attached to the giant crosses on the hill and pine boughs are tied to the crosses that mark each grave. They even have a Ferris wheel, and other carnival rides, food booths and merchandise hawkers with microphones extolling the crowd to buy everything from skin care products to kitchen gadgets. Children laugh and play among the graves.  Adults drink pox (pronounced “posh”; corn liquor, quite tasty!) and share portions by pouring small amounts on the graves.

Celebrants at a Rainy Día de los Muertos Celebration in Chiapas, Mexico

Families Celebrating Day of the Dead in Chiapas

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