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DIA DE LOS

MUERTOS

THE DAY OF THE DEAD

The ‘Ladies’ left and right were sent to me by David Spaid, as
were some of the photos. There are actually only three ‘Ladies’
(they all represent Catrina or Katrina Queen of the Undead) but
they are all painted individually so there looks like many more. All
these contain 50ml of Tequila Extra Anejo from Cava de Oro but
there is also a 750ml bottle.

Day of the Dead is a holiday celebrated in central and southern
Mexico during the chilly days of November 1 & 2. Even though
this coincides with the Catholic holiday called All Soul's & All
Saint’s Day, the indigenous people have combined this with their
own ancient beliefs of honouring their deceased loved ones.
They believe that the gates of heaven are opened at midnight on
st
October 31 and the spirits of all deceased children are allowed to
nd
reunite with their families for a day. On November 2 the spirits of
the adults come down to enjoy the festivities that are prepared for
them.

Beautiful altars are made in almost every home in most Mexican Indian villages. They are decorated
with candles, buckets of flowers (wild marigolds & bright red cock's combs) mounds of fruit, peanuts,
plates of turkey mole, stacks of tortillas and big Day of the Dead breads called Pan de Muerto. The
altar needs to have lots of food, bottles of soda, hot cocoa and water for the weary spirits. Toys and
nd
sweets are left for the children, and on 2 November, cigarettes and shots of Mezcal are offered to
the adult spirits (spirits for spirits - I love it!). Little folk art skeletons and sugar skulls, usually
purchased at open-air markets, provide the final touches.

Day of the Dead is a very expensive holiday for these self-sufficient, rural based, indigenous families.
Many spend over two month's income to honour their dead relatives. They believe that happy spirits
nd
will provide protection, good luck and wisdom to their families. On the afternoon of 2 November, the

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