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Things such as toys and sweet tamales are thought to attract the spirits home, so they are placed on the altars. Also, it is said that the spirits enjoy the essence of the food.
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many families will make a trail of candles from the gravestone of the deceased family member to their house, to help bring them home.
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October 31, 2017
During this time of the year, many people believe that their dead family members pay a visit to them. So, they prepare welcome tables for them (also known as altars). Rich family members of deceased children set up an altar using cardboard boxes covered in a table cloth and a picture of them on top. -
October 31, 2017
Other families who also lost a young family member cleaned and decorated the gravestones of the family member instead of building an altar. -
On the eve of November second, the elements of the children's altars are taken down or eaten so they can honor the deceased adults.
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This was similar to the children's altars with the cardboard boxes underneath the table cloth.
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They have their favorite foods, drinks sweets, and fruits that they harvest around this time, so they can enjoy the essence of the food. Also, the altars had water, bread, and salt to quench thirst, season food, and food for survival. Also, a washbin, mirror, towel, and soap to wash up with.
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At all hours of the day and night, people dance and make noise in the streets.They use noise makers or shells attached to their fancy clothes to make some excitement and to keep the spirits close.
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During the Day of the Dead, people hang what they call "papel picado" almost anywhere. "papel picado" meaning "pierced paper" is used mainly during this time to represent how fragile life is.
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After all the festivities, "mummers" run around the towns to chase the stubborn souls back to the land of the dead.
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In the evening of November 2, families go to their local cemetary to spend time with the souls. They sit, chat, and sometimes hire musicians to play for the souls.
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People of all ages dressed up as skeletons in fancy french clothing and face paint. They do this as a way to :mock death" and to show that they are not afraid of it.
