Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos) is a time when people remember and honor their deceased loved ones, with the idea that the spirits return on this one day of the year to be together with their families. Festivities take place in cities and villages throughout Mexico, though each location may have different customs and ways of honoring their dead. You can witness Day of the Dead celebrations anywhere in Mexico, but here are a few of the places where festivities are particularly colorful.
1. Mixquic, Mexico
© Federico Mena-Quintero
Mixquic, located in the Tlahuac Delegation of Mexico City (southwest of the Mexico City center) has been geographically swallowed up by Mexico City but retains the ambience of a rural village with strong indigenous roots. Street stalls are set up in the days before the celebrations. A procession through town with a cardboard coffin leads the way to the cemetery where a candle-light vigil will take place.
2. Janitzio and Patzcuaro, Michoacan
Photo by Guillermo Aldana, courtesy of the Mexican Tourism Board
Janitzio is a small island in Patzcuaro Lake and is easily reached by boat from Patzcuaro. The island is home to the Purepecha indigenous group (sometimes called Tarascans) who have elaborate Day of the Dead rituals. There are processions and music, folk dances are performed and families gather in the cemetery to spend the night chanting and singing. Perhaps the most impressive sight is the fishermen in their rowboats with torches lighting up the lake.
3. Oaxaca, Oaxaca
© 2006 Suzanne Barbezat, licensed to About.com
Visitors to Oaxaca during Day of the Dead can visit colorful marketplaces in nearby villages (the Friday market in Ocotlan is outstanding), witness vigils in a variety of cemeteries and take part in night-time carnival-like processions called comparsas. There are also sand tapestry competitions and Day of the Dead altars set up throughout town.
More information: Day of the Dead in Oaxaca
4. Merida, Yucatan
In the Maya language Day of the Dead celebrations are referred to as Hanal Pixan, which means "a feast for the souls." Families gather to prepare a special seasoned chicken tamale wrapped in banana leaves (called pibipollo), which is cooked underground in a pit. The dish is enjoyed by both the spirits, who are believed to consume its essence, and the living, who enjoy the real thing! There are also festivities in the streets and cemeteries.More info about Merida:
