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Celebrate the Day of the Dead with these 15 scenes of festivities and commemorations

Posted on by Pranco
Celebrate the Day of the Dead with these 15 scenes of festivities and commemorations

Photos selected by Quentin Nardi

Text by Tracy Scott Forson

A mix of ritual and religion, Day of the Dead, or Día de los Muertos, is a two-day event celebrated from midnight on October 31 through November 2, when Mexican families welcome the souls of their deceased relatives in a festive reunion . of life. Its roots go back some 3,000 years to the ancient peoples who lived in what is now modern-day Mexico. In Mexican culture, it is said that you die twice: once when you physically pass away and again when your name is spoken for the last time.

This Shrine of the Day of the Dead

This Day of the Dead shrine contains photos of loved ones, skulls, flowers, candles, corn on the cob, fruit and liquor bottles.

Byron Hlina, North Carolina, 2018

offspring feel closer to their loved ones

Visiting cemeteries where their deceased relatives are buried can help descendants feel closer to their loved ones on Day of the Dead.

Michael Anglin, Texas, 2013

Ofrenda

A day of the dead ofrenda (or “offer”) can be displayed on a flat surface or in layers. The items included can represent different ways to memorialize loved ones. For example, skull pastries symbolize death and the sweetness of life.

Savannah From Nice, Mexico, 2023

Man

It is believed that on the Day of the Dead can cross the realm of the spirit world to inhabit this world again.

Greg Davis, Mexico, 2019

Parade

Day of the Dead can be traced back to the pre-Hispanic cultures of Mesoamerica and is a combination of Aztec and Spanish traditions.

Viet Van Tran, Mexico, 2022

Colorful garments

Painted faces and colorful garments are traditions of the Day of the Dead.

Eric Newnam, California, 2022

Combination holidays

The Day of the Dead is believed to be a combination of an Aztec celebration of the dead and All Saints’ Day, recognized by Spanish Catholics who colonized the Americas.

Austin Beahm, California, 2013

Family visits cemetery

Family members visit deceased loved ones at a cemetery in honor of the Day of the Dead.

Jesus Corona, Mexico, 2023

Night celebrations

Although it is called Day of the Dead, celebrations can continue all night long.

Michael Palma, Mexico, 2012

It's not a scene from a horror movie

It’s not a scene from a horror movie. A market in Cabo San Lucas sells ceramic figures of skeletons representing the Day of the Dead.

Michael Boyce, Mexico, 2015

2-day celebrations

During the two-day celebrations, family members often clean the graves of their deceased loved ones, decorate the sites with marigolds and candles, and often place ofrendas nearby.

Michael Palma, Mexico, 2013

Performers prepare for a parade

Performers prepare for a parade during the Day of the Dead festivities in Oaxaca.

Michael Palma, Mexico, 2013

Honoring deceased loved ones

Honoring deceased loved ones is not something reserved for the Day of the Dead. Here, a performer wearing an elaborate headdress and skeletal body paint continues the March commemoration tradition.

Rodrigo Lodi, Mexico, 2019

A woman paints her face

A woman paints her face, half of which resembles a skull, in honor of the Day of the Dead.

Dan Gindle, California, 2014

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