THE DAY OF THE DEAD
IN CHIAPAS
In
the Mexican state of Chiapas, the Day of the Dead is celebrated in every
town and village. In some towns, however, this celebration is particularly
important.
One such town is Chiapa de Corzo, a small colonial city located just 14 kilometers from the state capital, Tuxtla Gutierrez There, preparations start several days in advance, when men, women and children go to the cemetery with brooms and buckets, paint and brushes, to clean and revitalize their loved ones' tombs. On October 30th, the cemetery is filled with roses, gladioli, daisies, chrysanthemums and golden china asters.
Inside each home, preparations have also begun. An altar is set up with votive candles, patron saints and photographs of dead family members. In front of the altar, an offering is laid out.
For the almitas (little souls), this consists basically of sugar candies shaped like wreaths and animals, and a variety of candy, water and bread. The "big souls" receive Day of the Dead bread, chocolate, cigarettes, pumpkin candy, their favorite dish and a bottle of mistela (liqueur made from jocote, a regional fruit).Children's souls reach earth on November 1st, All Saint's Day. Family members will stay at the tomb all day so when the little ones arrive they can see their loved ones. But there is no need to stay with them through the night because the little souls go to sleep early.
Adult souls, however, are another story. The entire
town of Chiapa de Corzo stays awake for them between the night of November
1st and dawn of November 2nd. Families will rent tables and chairs and
hold a street celebration where the town's men play cards, dice, dominoes
or chess, and pass the night away talking about the departed. At dawn,
men and women head for the cemetery to say good-bye to their dead, carrying
a lighted votive candle for each loved one they have lost. During the
day of November 2nd, festivities are held on the city's holy ground. Some
of the graves are decorated with colored ribbons and tropical plants.
Trios, mariachi and marimba bands are taken to the cemetery to play the
favorite tunes of those who are gone. At noon, once the family has eaten
at the grave site, firecrackers are set off to announce that the souls
have departed once again.
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Site produced by Organización
Tips. Cancun, Mexico.
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