2014 - Chihuahua City - Dia de los Muertos 1 of 2
Our Copper Canyon tour group arrived in Chihuahua City 01 November in time for the Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos) celebration in Plaza Mayor. A stage was in place and various groups like these ones (getting their group photo before performing) were entertaining the crowd.
In Mexico the day is a public holiday. Prior to Spanish colonization in the 16th century, the celebration took place at the beginning of summer. It was moved to October 31, November 1 and November 2 to coincide with the Roman Catholic triduum festival of Allhallowtide: All Hallows' Eve, Hallowmas, and All Souls' Day. Traditions connected with the holiday include building private altars called ofrendas, honoring the deceased using sugar skulls, marigolds, and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed, and visiting graves with these as gifts. Visitors also leave possessions of the deceased at the graves.
Because of its importance as a defining aspect of Mexican culture and the unique aspects of the celebration which have been passed down through generations, Mexico's indigenous festivity dedicated to the dead was recognized by UNESCO as part of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity in 2008.
Day of the Dead is celebrated in different ways in different locations throughout Mexico. Festivities tend to be more colorful in the southern region, particularly in the states of Michoacan, Oaxaca and Chiapas. In rural areas celebrations are mostly solemn whereas in bigger cities they are sometimes irreverent. There are a few destinations that are well-known for their Día de los Muertos observances. One example is Janitzio and Patzcuaro, Michoacan.
2014 - Chihuahua City - Dia de los Muertos 1 of 2
Our Copper Canyon tour group arrived in Chihuahua City 01 November in time for the Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos) celebration in Plaza Mayor. A stage was in place and various groups like these ones (getting their group photo before performing) were entertaining the crowd.
In Mexico the day is a public holiday. Prior to Spanish colonization in the 16th century, the celebration took place at the beginning of summer. It was moved to October 31, November 1 and November 2 to coincide with the Roman Catholic triduum festival of Allhallowtide: All Hallows' Eve, Hallowmas, and All Souls' Day. Traditions connected with the holiday include building private altars called ofrendas, honoring the deceased using sugar skulls, marigolds, and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed, and visiting graves with these as gifts. Visitors also leave possessions of the deceased at the graves.
Because of its importance as a defining aspect of Mexican culture and the unique aspects of the celebration which have been passed down through generations, Mexico's indigenous festivity dedicated to the dead was recognized by UNESCO as part of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity in 2008.
Day of the Dead is celebrated in different ways in different locations throughout Mexico. Festivities tend to be more colorful in the southern region, particularly in the states of Michoacan, Oaxaca and Chiapas. In rural areas celebrations are mostly solemn whereas in bigger cities they are sometimes irreverent. There are a few destinations that are well-known for their Día de los Muertos observances. One example is Janitzio and Patzcuaro, Michoacan.