Mexico continues its Day of the Dead traditions

In Mexico, loved ones never die. Images of family and friends can be found still hanging in homes, generations after they have passed. And during one unique holiday, it is believed that these loved ones return to do what is best done in Mexico: eat, drink and celebrate life.

From October 31st to November 3rd, Mexico is decorated with dancing calacas (skeletons), chocolate coffins, and cempasuchil (marigolds) as families gather to honor their ancestors by setting up ofrendas (altars) in their homes while entire communities offer collective ofrendas in parks or graveyards, and everyone, is of course invited.

Some of the most popular destinations to experience this tradition are the Island of Janitzio, Michoacan, where the entire island gets lit with candles and processions of people party and eat in its streets www.turismomichoacan.gob.mx San Miguel de Allende in Guanajuato, where every year the community builds an enormous ofrenda and dances with the dead until the early hours of the morning http://www.turismosanmiguel.com.mx Oaxaca City’s San Miguel Cemetery is host to three days of events such as exhibitions, altar competitions, music and prayers for the dead. While in Oaxaca, try the black mole, a rich sauce consisting of more than twenty different spices and considered the “king of moles” popular during this season www.oaxaca.gob.mx Also, in Cancun’s theme park Xcaret, guests are invited to partake in the celebration at a Mayan grave site http://www.xcaret.com/Culture/Mexican_Cementery.html

Other destinations offer more traditional opportunities. In Merida, Yucatan, the indigenous communities call these days the Hanal Pixan, a feast for all souls, and groups of families congregate in cemeteries and cook  their loved one’s favorite meals, the specialty of the day is mucbipollo, a seasoned chicken tamale wrapped in plantain leaves that is cooked underground in a pit barbeque www.yucatan.com.mx In the Huasteca region of San Luis Potosi, Xantolo, starts Nov. 1 and is celebrated with incense and traditional dancing that goes on throughout the night. On Nov. 2nd everyone goes to the cemetery to decorate it www.sanluispotosi.gob.mx And in the World Heritage Sites of the city of Puebla, Puebla, and Xochimilco in Mexico City, local myths and legends come to life and streets are covered with carpets made of flower petals www.puebla.gob.mx http://www.df.gob.mx

So don’t miss out on celebrating Day of the Dead in Mexico, because it is one of the best ways to get to know the country’s culture and traditions of life.