29 October 2008: Dia de Muertos part 1I was pretty excited when I found out that we were going to be in Mexico during Dia de Muertos or Day of the Dead as we call it here.
In Cancun there were a few Halloween costumes and decorations in the store but Dia de Muertos is the big holiday there. The holiday falls on Nov. 1st & 2nd and it is a time for people to remember family and friends who have died. The first day is traditionally to honor children and the second day for adults.
People decorate altars in the homes, cemeteries and businesses to honor those who have passes away.
I first learned of the holiday in about 13 years ago when one of my photographers in Waukegan, Jeffrey Brown, would cover the event locally every year for the paper. I will take a look at this a bit more in a few days but here are a few more shots from Walmart.
The seasonal isle was much like what you might find in the US with a tented area with a giant dragon, inside you could find skeletons and other day of the dead items people could buy for their altars.
Pan de muerto is special bread traditionally prepared and eaten on the holiday.
We ran into a couple in the store and they told us about the sugar skulls. People buy a sugar skull with a child's name on it and give it to the children at a special dinner during the first day of the holiday.
I will follow up more on the traditions in a few days.
john
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