![]() We all know them: Halloween outfits with face painted skeletons. Dreaming about a tradition that is more than just a feast for the eyes. As the colored flags sway above me, I close my eyes and find myself in that Mexican living room for a moment, surrounded by offerings, relatives and music. Further on, a paint can is opened and a grave is dusted. Two older ladies are walking in front of me, each with a floral bouquet in their hands. But does this mean it has lost its authenticity? I dive deeper into my quest and begin a broad daylight walk through the local cemetery Panteon General. With souvenir stalls and tour operators galore, it's simply impossible to deny that tourism hasn't changed this originally traditional festival. One tip: leave the sugar skeletons for what they are, namely offerings for decoration, and don't make the same mistake I did by taking a bite of this super-sweet, so-called treat. An experience that is not complete without tasting Pan de Muerto and many other culinary delights such as Mole Negro, Chilaquilas and Pozole. Visit one of the many local markets such as Mercado 20 de Noviembre and immerse yourself in the world of Mexican street food. ![]() In combination with the cempazúchitl flower, ranging from deep orange to warm purple, the picture is complete.ĭia de los Muertos in Oaxaca is not only a feast for the eyes, but also for the stomach. Streets are decorated with garlands in all colors of the rainbow, from which images have been cut with great precision, also known as papel picado. All traditions that contribute to the festive feeling, my camera is working overtime. Everywhere I look, my view is dominated by brightly colored decorations. Eyecandyįormerly, the tradition mainly took place indoors, nowadays you can find the carefully decorated altars in many public places such as shops, hotels and restaurants. I am therefore confident that in the cultural heart of Mexico, Oaxaca (wah-ga-kaa), I can experience a piece of this authentic magic and continue my search. On the other hand, you can also see it as a great opportunity for Mexicans to share their culture with the rest of the world. On the one hand, this makes the commercialization of this originally traditional festival inevitable. Just think of the Disney animated film Coco, released in 2017, which not only scored huge viewing figures in Mexico, but was also well received over the rest of the world. It has not gone unnoticed that this age-old tradition is still going strong today. Think bright orange flowers, colorful flags, photos of relatives and an abundance of food, and the picture is complete! Accompanied by true works of art in the form of altars, also called ofrendas, the loved ones are guaranteed an easy return to earth. In my opinion a very beautiful way of mourning, in which the Mexicans are convinced that once a year the souls of deceased loved ones travel to the world of the living. The celebration still aims to honor the dead, celebrate their lives and recognize that death is part of life. With the rise of Spanish colonization in the sixteenth century, the indigenous traditions mixed with the Catholic religion and the festival was moved to what we now know as All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day (November 1 and 2). A tradition as old as timeĭia de los Muertos, also known as the Day of the Dead, is a Mexican folk festival that originated in the summer months of the Aztec Empire, more than eight hundred years ago. A thought that is soon interrupted by a tourist who bluntly sets foot on a tombstone, trying to capture what happened here so peacefully and modestly just a few seconds ago. The hope that I have just experienced how the Mexican tradition has still managed to retain its authenticity. I feel the calm and peace as the locals prepare to receive the souls of their deceased loved ones and am overcome with hope. In the background is the strumming of a guitar and a few graves away there is loud laughter. My gaze falls on a colorful tombstone decorated with flowers. However, I am currently experiencing the opposite. A scene I would normally associate with something creepy and scary. It's late and I'm in a secluded graveyard just outside bustling Oaxaca. ![]() I make my way through the candlelit graves. Dusk has given way to a pitch-dark sky, which is illuminated by the moon in an eerie yet magical way.
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