Dia De Los Muertes-Day Of The Dead-Nov.1 & 2
Day Of The Dead - A National Mexican Holiday- 2 days during the year that they believe they can call back their dead loved ones and friends to communicate with them if they go thru these rituals and make their alter to the dead just right.
" Special candies in the shape of skulls and coffins are placed in the homes of the deceased for their enjoyment, and the dead are called back with processions, mariachi music and religious observations." -Maximus Gula, Atencion Restaurant Reviewer ( "Atencion" is a daily newspaper in San Miguel de Allende,Gto.,Mexico)
Here is a group singing in the cemetery to their dead loved ones.
More pictures from the cemetery follows along with different pictures of the alters that were made to the dead. This a very big event in Mexico.
Whole families gather at the cemetery hoping for one more opportunity to communicate with their loved one.
" Rich meals consumed by the dead and the living, either at the gravesite, from the ofrenda or later at comida, can contain sumptuous, spicy meat dishes, egg batter bread, chocolate and sugery confections. The food prepared to nourish the returning spirits differ in various locales, but they are always the rich and succulent dishes representative of a bountiful harvest and previously preferred by the dead." -Maximus Gula, Atencion Restaurant Reviewer
Many families stay all night at the cemetery -waiting and preforming religious rituals- in hope of a visit from the deceased.
" Families prepare ofrendas, alters with offerings for the dead, visit and clean the graves, and tell endearing stories about the departed."-Maximus Gula, Atencion Restaurant Reviewer
Although the flowers are beautiful; this holiday is not just about remembering the dead.It is full of witchcraft.
I have never seen a cemetery so full of people.It is so sad- how the devil has lied to these people.
" The dead need bread and sugar to help them on the journey to the next level.The bread of the dead, pan de muertos, is sweet and baked expressly for the Days Of The Dead holiday.It is usually shaped in an oval representing the shape of the dead person's soul, but he loaves can also be made into bone shapes, animal shapes or even human shapes to represent the dead themselves."- Maximus Gula, Atencion Restaurant Reviewer
Here is an alter made to either a young child or baby. All Saint's Day is dedicated to the young children and babies that have died.
" Marigold: these bright orange petals scattered over the floor mark the entrance to the altar and create a fragrant trail to guide the soul to the terrestrial realm."- Suzanne Ludekens, Atencion
An alter in a private home.
" Religious Images: Images of saints are added to the alter according to the devotion of the deceased one."- Suzanne Ludekens, Atencion
Religion and witchcraft are intermingled on these alters.These are not tables to remember the dead but alters to the dead.
" Candles: the light of votive candles serves to guide the souls of the deceased to the ofrenda ( offering) and represents light within each person.
Water: a symbol of purity, water also serves to quench the thirst of the souls because the dead are very thirsty."- Suzanne Ludekens, Atencion
Alot of sacrifice has been made during this time just to be able to purchase the things required to build these alters.
" Main Dishes: a variety of exquisite dishes are prepared to give sustenance to the hungry souls that have not eaten all year and to provide nourishment for their return journey."- Suzanne Ludekens, Atencion
Isn't it sad?! So much good food going to waste when so many are so poor they can't provide for their families the way they need to. The insects have a feast this day while they go hungry to feed dead souls.
An alter to a Catholic priest.
" Generally the alter is divided into two levels, the floor and a table, that represent the earth and heaven respectively. On the table , the heavenly realm, rests the image of the deceased, icons of faith and symbols of water and fire.
Incense: Serves to purify the enviroment and guide the souls."- Suzanne Ludekens, Atencion
One of the more elaborate alters.
" Woven Mat: the simple woven mats used as beds in many homes offer the souls a plave to rest after its long journey."- Suzanne Ludekens, Atencion
Another alter made in San Miguel de Allende by the local public school children.
San Miguel is filled with altars in private homes, on the public downtown square and along many sidewalks in front of houses during this holiday.
Day Of The Dead In San Miguel de Allende
It was a sight like we had never saw! How could people be so blind as to make altars to the dead?! This was not just one little group in the city but the whole city. In front of the big Catholic church in town they built forty big altars. A witchdoctor came and did a "ritual cleansing" of the area and blew a horrible smelling incense all around. People laughed and visited and ate ice cream and waited for the returning spririts of their loved ones.The sacrifices some made- Oh, if only they would sacrifice to the true God then they would have a very real promised hope of getting to be reunited with their loved ones if they were saved. Why do they do these things? Because it is all that they've been taught and there are very real, evil spirits in this world and only God and His Spirit can break those yokes of bondage. Pray for these people!
Large magna altar downtown.
" Last year more than 7,000 people visited the enormous altar, sponsered by City Hall and the department of Education and Culture, that honored local personalites."- Suzanne Ludekens, Atencion