Lake Chapala area residents will note not a pause, but rather an intense burst of activity as Mexico’s idiosyncratic commemorations of All Saints and All Souls rolls around at the end of next week.
November 1, Dia de Todos los Santos, is the date devoted to remembering Angelitos – the “little angels” who died in infancy. All those who have passed on at a riper age are honored on November 2, Dia de los Fieles Difuntos (Day of the Faithful Dead).
Visiting sacred grounds
The usual quiet at local graveyards is already evaporating as folks labor at refurbishing family burial plots Once repairs and gardening tasks are finished, they decorate the tombs with memorial coronas (wreaths) and cruces (crosses) embellished with religious images and artificial flowers, fresh floral arrangements and votive candles. Children’s graves are often adorned with tiny wreaths fashioned in pastel tones, gaily colored crepe paper streamers, balloons, offerings of sweets and toys, and vigil lights.
Family outings to the camposanto (holy ground) on November 1 and 2 may extend through an entire day, in some cases overnight, as relatives and friends cluster around the gravesites to relive fond memories, mourn again and celebrate in honor of the cherished muertitos who rest six feet under. They’ll bring along plenty of food and drink to keep them going, adding live music or boom box tunes to enhance the ambiance.
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