Day of the Dead is one of the most beautiful and mystical traditions that we Mexicans have. A tradition that has its origins in the pre-Columbian cultures that inhabited Mexico, particularly the Aztecs and the Mayans who believed in the continuity of life after death and saw death as a natural part of the cycle of life.
The tradition of the Day of the Dead is celebrated on November 1st and 2nd, but it was not always so, as there were several dates on which the dead were celebrated: However, with the arrival of the Spaniards, Christian elements were incorporated to the tradition, creating a syncretism between the indigenous and Christian religious beliefs, with which the dates to celebrate this tradition were moved to these dates that coincided with the Christian celebration of the “All Souls Day” and with the end of the corn harvest of the indigenous peoples (corn is and has always been the most important food and has always been venerated).
In the indigenous view of Day of the Dead, it involves the transient return of the souls of the deceased, who come back to the world of the living, to be with their family and to nourish themselves with the essence of the food offered to them on the altars placed in their honor.
During these days families get together to set up the altars and prepare the different dishes that will be placed on the altars and that are precisely all those foods that the dead enjoyed in life and that now will return to enjoy them again.
In each region of Mexico this celebration takes on certain nuances typical of the region, however there are always the elements that are shared such as the altars, the food, the candles or the marigold flowers. The cemeteries are always full of people cleaning the graves, decorating them with flowers, setting the altars and of course keeping vigil all night so that their loved ones return for a few hours to the world of the living.
The heart of the Day of the Dead celebration is the altar or offering, which is set up in homes and cemeteries. These offerings are decorated with symbolic elements that honor and remember the deceased loved ones. Every altar must include specific elements, each with special significance. These must include water, salt, candles, sugar skulls, copal incense, marigold flowers, portraits of the deceased, bread of the dead, papel picado (cut paper), mats, and, of course, food. Altars can even have different levels, each with particular meaning.
Food plays a fundamental role in Day of the Dead, as it is considered that the act of eating is a way to share with the departed loved ones. Some of the common dishes are mole, tamales, calabaza en tacha (sweet pumking cook in piloncillo which is raw sugar, until tender), enchiladas, tacos, fruits.
Drinks and other things that the dead enjoyed in life are also placed on the altars, such as their favorite alcoholic beverages, cigars, chocolates, etc. Through offerings, celebrations, and food, life and death are celebrated as an inseparable whole.
If you want to experience this tradition in Mazatlan these are some of the tips I can give you.
- Visit a cemetery on November 2nd and you will see how the families will place flowers and offerings for their loved ones. Expect them to be very full.
- Walk the streets of the historic center and in many public places, schools, restaurants, you will see altars with different themes. The Plazuela Machado in the historic center will be decorated and always has spectacular altars or in the Plazuela in front of the Municipal Palace and the Cathedral.
- Eat pan de muerto, I love it and wait all year to eat it because it is only eaten during the months of October and November.
- Participate in the “Callejoneada” organized by Mazatlan’s Department of Culture, which this year will probably be on November 1st or 2nd and is a kind of parade through the streets of the historic center where both locals and visitors dress up as “Catrinas” with clothes and painting their faces. And there are dances, floats and much more. Don’t miss it, it’s a very nice and fun “Must Thing to Do in Mazatlan” if you are in Mazatlan during this time of the year.
- Take the special cooking class in Mazatlan that Tomatl offers for the Day of the Dead, in which not only will the typical dishes of this day such as tamales, mole, etc. be cooked, but there will also be an explanation of the origin, symbolism and meaning of the Day of the Dead. and an altar will be set up.
