Day of the Dead is Here

Day of the Dead is this weekend. This is one of my favorite holidays - and one that I was completely unfamiliar with before moving to Mexico over ten years ago (wow - time flies!). What really stands out for me is the aromas associated with this occasion. The cempasuchitl flowers, the copal incense, the chocolate and the rich mole sauce that's prepared here in Oaxaca at this time of year - these are all scents that come to represent this holiday and make the memories stand out. It makes sense that people believe that it's the scents that the spirits follow to find their way back home for the holiday!

Many people set up their home altars yesterday, to prepare for the angelitos, the "little angels," spirits of dead children, who are thought to return on the night of the 31st of October, and then today have added more items to their altar to welcome the spirits of adults who will return to visit their loved ones on November first and second.

Here in Oaxaca Day of the Dead is tied with Christmas as the biggest celebration of the year. Elsewhere in Mexico there's a lot going on as well. There's a huge event being held in Mexico City's Zocalo until November 2nd, with a Mesoamerican ball court set up with various groups demonstrating how the game was played, as well as displays and performances taking place throughout the weekend. Find more information (in Spanish) at the event Web Site: Día de muertos en el Zócalo capitalino.