Posts
The Day of the dead and Halloween may fall on the same weekend but are completely different type of celebrations. In Mexico the few children that do go out to collect treats, chant "Calabazita", meaning "little pumpkin".
We heard of the parade to take place on Sunday. It was suppose to start at 10:00 am, but finally at 1:00 pm we heard the firework "bombas" go off indicating that things were taking place.At the entrance of the village a group of people has gathered, a brass band is playing and a caged statue of Christ is being prepared to be carried along the streets.
Women in turquoise shirts are praying and weeping, They carry a large banner reading "Cofradia receives you with open arms our Lord of inspiration". We are given a hand full of confetti to be thrown around during the parade.
The dancers and flute placers, we watched practicing a few nights earlier are now in their costumes.
The procession has begun. At each of the shrines the statue bearers stop, and while the band plays a particular tune, the dancers perform their act at the front of the line.
Women in turquoise shirts are praying and weeping, They carry a large banner reading "Cofradia receives you with open arms our Lord of inspiration". We are given a hand full of confetti to be thrown around during the parade. The dancers and flute placers, we watched practicing a few nights earlier are now in their costumes.
The procession has begun. At each of the shrines the statue bearers stop, and while the band plays a particular tune, the dancers perform their act at the front of the line.
The dancers and flute placers, we watched practicing a few nights earlier are now in their costumes.
The procession has begun. At each of the shrines the statue bearers stop, and while the band plays a particular tune, the dancers perform their act at the front of the line.
It is quite a sight. They end at the church where the statue of Christ was set down.
All guests receive a glass of rice water or Jamaica and a bowl of Pozoles.
November 1 is an official holiday, which focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died. We learn that today the children are being remembered on November 2nd the adults.
People go to cemeteries to be with the souls of the departed and build private altars containing the favorite foods and beverages as well as photos and memorabilia of the departed. The intent is to encourage visits by the souls, so that the souls will hear the prayers and the comments of the living directed to them. Celebrations can take a humorous tone, as celebrants remember funny events and anecdotes about the departed.
The next day, we walk with Joe to the cemetery and place a few items on the Project Amigo grave, which also contains Jeannie's ashes. Along the road tables are set up with vendors selling refreshments. Families come by the truckload, carrying large colourful plastic wreaths. They tend to the various, simple, neglected graves, most of which are covered with dead weeds. Many have only very simple crosses, some of which are handwritten with a name and sometimes a date.
Later, a Catholic mass is being held under a tarp just large enough for the priest and his helpers. The rest of the people stay outside in the hot sun.
People go to cemeteries to be with the souls of the departed and build private altars containing the favorite foods and beverages as well as photos and memorabilia of the departed. The intent is to encourage visits by the souls, so that the souls will hear the prayers and the comments of the living directed to them. Celebrations can take a humorous tone, as celebrants remember funny events and anecdotes about the departed.
A shrine was also set up by Joe's friends Cass and Greg, at one of the Project Amigo houses, to remember his late wife Jeannie. As the meaning of the shrine is explained to me, I learn much about the strong, long standing Mexican traditions.
The next day, we walk with Joe to the cemetery and place a few items on the Project Amigo grave, which also contains Jeannie's ashes. Along the road tables are set up with vendors selling refreshments. Families come by the truckload, carrying large colourful plastic wreaths. They tend to the various, simple, neglected graves, most of which are covered with dead weeds. Many have only very simple crosses, some of which are handwritten with a name and sometimes a date. 
Later, a Catholic mass is being held under a tarp just large enough for the priest and his helpers. The rest of the people stay outside in the hot sun.
Large family gatherings take place on the sidewalk in front of the small homes in the village. From as early as 5 in the morning until well past midnight fireworks explode. It's not over yet. We're all happy when the young people finally run out of their explosives.
More photos at My Picasa Site
No comments:
Post a Comment