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Links	Descriptions of Regional Variations
Map of Mexican States The regions discussed are located in the following States Veracruz--yellow Puebla--red Guerrero--green Oaxaca--pink Map of Mexicoc -Scroll down to find virtual tours of Mexican cities and interactive state map down to find virtual tours of Mexican cities Map of Veracruz Photos of altars in Veracruz	Veracruz
In the Mexican state of Veracruz, the towns of Xalapa and Papantla have residents who are descendants of the Totonac, native inhabitants of Veracruz. The descendants have retained ancient practices including the language inspite of the Spanish conquistadors and evangelists. Day of the Dead in the Totonac language is Ninín. The Totanacs' believed that the souls of the dead pass to a world where no one suffers, but need the help of the living to reach the place of immortality. This view does not fear death. Today families celebrating Day of the Dead can be found feasting together in honor of their dead friends, family members, and the Totanc gods. The festivities facilitate familial and community ties for the living and the dead.
In another Veracruz town, Escolin, Day of the Dead prepartaions begin two months ahead of the festival. Four phases of the festival are observed: San Lucas (October 18) is reserved for those who have died a tragic death by drowning or assassination. Food offerings such as mole, bread, coffee, chocolate, and tamales are placed on the home altar. The altar is decorated with palm leaves and ornaments. Sometimes the church leaders join the families in prayer. This part of the festival ends when the cross and food offerings are taken to the loved one's gravesite.
Ninín (October 31 through November 2) is the celebration associated with the Day of the Dead. Mid-day on October 31 the marks the arrival of the children's souls or laqsqatanín. Food offerings might include mild flavored meatless tamales, bread, tortillas, chocolate, fruits, clothing, toys and water. Candles, incense and prayers are offered as well. Fireworks are ignited and doors of the home are left open to allow the souls can enter and partake of the foods. At noon on November 1, the souls of the children depart allowing for the arrival of the adult souls. The families proceed to the cemetery to place part of the food offerings on the graves. Orphans are remembered through smaller altars on outside of the home.
Xa aktumajat or the Octave (November 8 and 9) is a time when the dead are once again received for a period of nine days. On the eighth day farewells are said to the children's souls and to the adult's souls on the ninth day. For some this concludes the celebrations for the dead. Others end with San Andrés.
San Andrés (November 30) signifies the end of the celebrations with final goodbyes until the following year. The altars consist of a personal altar or the altar used for the veneration of the dead through the Catholic Saints. Once again families feast on tamales, tortillas, bread, and chocolate recite prayers and take part of the food and flowers to the cemetery.
Day of the Dead in Hualquechula	Puebla
In the town of Huaquechula, situated between the volcanoes of Ixtaccihuatl, Popocatepetl, and Malintzin in the State of Puebla, colorful polychrome pottery made specifically for the altars or ofrendas can be found in the markets. Painted with gloss or mat commercial paints over white slip, the pottery comes in the form of incense burners, candlesticks, and figurines. Sometimes glitter is incorporated into the the painted patterns, typicaly floral. Some pieces include molded figures of cherubs, children or adults carrying musical instruments or fruits. White and pink sugar lambs, are commonly found. Breads and flowers, typcially the marigold or cempasúchil and cockscomb or Mano de León flowers are sold as well. Ofrendas in Huaquechula can be free standing but are more likely to be set up along a wall. They are built in tiers and can rise as high as 12 to 15 feet. This type of ofrenda may be related to funerary catafalques brought to Mexico by the Spanish.
	Guerrero
In the State of Guerrero, the town of Iguala, creates special offerings for those who have died within the year. The altars are called tumbas or tombs and tumbas vivientes or living tombs. These tombs or tumbas are created by the family or by people hired by the family in the main room of the house. The room is transformed into a scene. With cardboard, corrugated and tissue paper a mountainous and starry sky background is created decorated with green plants or green sawdust. In the foreground, a saint or a cross of carved wood dominates the center. A cardboard image of Jesus Christ, a Dolorosa, or an Angel might also be added. These images stand over a coffin adorned with a picture, the dates of birth and death, and a few words written in memoriam to the deceased. In addition, offerings blessed by the church, a glass of wine, a dish of salt, a rice flour wafer, and water are placed on or near the coffin. These items provide for the spiritual sustenance of the returning soul. The salt offering is not well understood, however, it is thought to purify. Families often use their best quilts to make a bed for the returning soul to rest. The living tombs or tumbas vivientes add to the special offering described above by hiring people who portray a scene from Christ's life, such as the Last Supper or the Baptism of Christ. The living tombs are open to the public from 11 to 1 am. Families share offerings of wine, biscuits and bread with visitors.
Wooden skeleton, approximately 12 " tall, Oaxaca Courtesy of Nancy Walkup	Oaxaca
Oaxacans typically build an altar in their homes using a table with boxes covered in white cloth, representing the gravesites of their lost loved ones. and Oaxaca is a favorite destination of tourists who wish to observe the Oaxacan celebrations for Dia de los Muertos. An arch is formed from stalks of sugar cane or carrizo tied to the legs of the table. During the month of October, the markets sell the food and items used to create the family altar. Items such as candles, flowers, photos of the deceased, and food are arranged on the altar. The food might include: pumpkin cooked with brown sugar or nicuatole, pan de muerto, and fresh fruit. Special attention is given to the deceased's favorites in life. For example, if the loved one enjoyed bike riding, a figurine such as the one represented on the left would be placed on the altar along with the other items. Minature skeletons made of clay, wood, and paper mache representing a profession or engaged in lifelike activity are selected to symbolize the loved ones favorite activities in life. Oaxacan's also decorate their families gravesites in the cemeteries and offer food and drink spending time with their deceased and living family members. Many tourists flock to Oaxaca to observe the celebrations. Oaxacan's courteously welcome thousands of visitors
Lead Skeletons from Mexico City Courtesy of Corazon, Houston, TX CorazonFairTrade.com	Urban vs. Rural Celebrations
*"Urban Mexicans encounter death with fun and games, while rural Indians encounter it with absolute tranquility."* (Frances Toor, Artes de Mexico, 2002, Numero 62, p 66.) In the cities the celebrations may not be taken as seriously as in the rural communities. Even though, there appears to be less emphasis on the religious connections in the urban settings, these celebrations are no less important. The rural expressions of Day of the Dead are more closely related to ancient beliefs passed from generation to generation. The skulls and skeletons seen in urban markets are not as prevalent in rural locations. In the urban markets, there is a demand fordecorative objects that have become removed from their traditional use in the festivities.

Links

Descriptions of Regional Variations

Map of Mexican States

The regions discussed are located in the following States

Veracruz--yellow

Puebla--red

Guerrero--green

Oaxaca--pink

Map of Mexicoc

-Scroll down to find virtual tours of Mexican cities and interactive state map down to find virtual tours of Mexican cities

Map of Veracruz

Photos of altars in Veracruz

Veracruz

In the Mexican state of Veracruz, the towns of Xalapa and Papantla have residents who are descendants of the Totonac, native inhabitants of Veracruz. The descendants have retained ancient practices including the language inspite of the Spanish conquistadors and evangelists. Day of the Dead in the Totonac language is Ninín. The Totanacs' believed that the souls of the dead pass to a world where no one suffers, but need the help of the living to reach the place of immortality. This view does not fear death. Today families celebrating Day of the Dead can be found feasting together in honor of their dead friends, family members, and the Totanc gods. The festivities facilitate familial and community ties for the living and the dead.

In another Veracruz town, Escolin, Day of the Dead prepartaions begin two months ahead of the festival. Four phases of the festival are observed:

San Lucas (October 18) is reserved for those who have died a tragic death by drowning or assassination. Food offerings such as mole, bread, coffee, chocolate, and tamales are placed on the home altar. The altar is decorated with palm leaves and ornaments. Sometimes the church leaders join the families in prayer. This part of the festival ends when the cross and food offerings are taken to the loved one's gravesite.

Ninín (October 31 through November 2) is the celebration associated with the Day of the Dead. Mid-day on October 31 the marks the arrival of the children's souls or laqsqatanín. Food offerings might include mild flavored meatless tamales, bread, tortillas, chocolate, fruits, clothing, toys and water. Candles, incense and prayers are offered as well. Fireworks are ignited and doors of the home are left open to allow the souls can enter and partake of the foods. At noon on November 1, the souls of the children depart allowing for the arrival of the adult souls. The families proceed to the cemetery to place part of the food offerings on the graves. Orphans are remembered through smaller altars on outside of the home.

Xa aktumajat or the Octave (November 8 and 9) is a time when the dead are once again received for a period of nine days. On the eighth day farewells are said to the children's souls and to the adult's souls on the ninth day. For some this concludes the celebrations for the dead. Others end with San Andrés.

San Andrés (November 30) signifies the end of the celebrations with final goodbyes until the following year. The altars consist of a personal altar or the altar used for the veneration of the dead through the Catholic Saints. Once again families feast on tamales, tortillas, bread, and chocolate recite prayers and take part of the food and flowers to the cemetery.

Day of the Dead in Hualquechula

Puebla

In the town of Huaquechula, situated between the volcanoes of Ixtaccihuatl, Popocatepetl, and Malintzin in the State of Puebla, colorful polychrome pottery made specifically for the altars or ofrendas can be found in the markets. Painted with gloss or mat commercial paints over white slip, the pottery comes in the form of incense burners, candlesticks, and figurines. Sometimes glitter is incorporated into the the painted patterns, typicaly floral. Some pieces include molded figures of cherubs, children or adults carrying musical instruments or fruits. White and pink sugar lambs, are commonly found. Breads and flowers, typcially the marigold or cempasúchil and cockscomb or Mano de León flowers are sold as well. Ofrendas in Huaquechula can be free standing but are more likely to be set up along a wall. They are built in tiers and can rise as high as 12 to 15 feet. This type of ofrenda may be related to funerary catafalques brought to Mexico by the Spanish.

Guerrero

In the State of Guerrero, the town of Iguala, creates special offerings for those who have died within the year. The altars are called tumbas or tombs and tumbas vivientes or living tombs. These tombs or tumbas are created by the family or by people hired by the family in the main room of the house. The room is transformed into a scene. With cardboard, corrugated and tissue paper a mountainous and starry sky background is created decorated with green plants or green sawdust. In the foreground, a saint or a cross of carved wood dominates the center. A cardboard image of Jesus Christ, a Dolorosa, or an Angel might also be added. These images stand over a coffin adorned with a picture, the dates of birth and death, and a few words written in memoriam to the deceased. In addition, offerings blessed by the church, a glass of wine, a dish of salt, a rice flour wafer, and water are placed on or near the coffin. These items provide for the spiritual sustenance of the returning soul. The salt offering is not well understood, however, it is thought to purify. Families often use their best quilts to make a bed for the returning soul to rest.

The living tombs or tumbas vivientes add to the special offering described above by hiring people who portray a scene from Christ's life, such as the Last Supper or the Baptism of Christ. The living tombs are open to the public from 11 to 1 am. Families share offerings of wine, biscuits and bread with visitors.

Wooden skeleton, approximately 12 " tall, Oaxaca
Courtesy of Nancy Walkup

Oaxaca

Oaxacans typically build an altar in their homes using a table with boxes covered in white cloth, representing the gravesites of their lost loved ones. and Oaxaca is a favorite destination of tourists who wish to observe the Oaxacan celebrations for Dia de los Muertos. An arch is formed from stalks of sugar cane or carrizo tied to the legs of the table. During the month of October, the markets sell the food and items used to create the family altar. Items such as candles, flowers, photos of the deceased, and food are arranged on the altar. The food might include: pumpkin cooked with brown sugar or nicuatole, pan de muerto, and fresh fruit. Special attention is given to the deceased's favorites in life. For example, if the loved one enjoyed bike riding, a figurine such as the one represented on the left would be placed on the altar along with the other items. Minature skeletons made of clay, wood, and paper mache representing a profession or engaged in lifelike activity are selected to symbolize the loved ones favorite activities in life.

Oaxacan's also decorate their families gravesites in the cemeteries and offer food and drink spending time with their deceased and living family members.

Many tourists flock to Oaxaca to observe the celebrations. Oaxacan's courteously welcome thousands of visitors

Lead Skeletons from Mexico City
Courtesy of Corazon, Houston, TX CorazonFairTrade.com

Urban vs. Rural Celebrations

"Urban Mexicans encounter death with fun and games, while rural Indians encounter it with absolute tranquility."

(Frances Toor, Artes de Mexico, 2002, Numero 62, p 66.)

In the cities the celebrations may not be taken as seriously as in the rural communities. Even though, there appears to be less emphasis on the religious connections in the urban settings, these celebrations are no less important. The rural expressions of Day of the Dead are more closely related to ancient beliefs passed from generation to generation.

The skulls and skeletons seen in urban markets are not as prevalent in rural locations. In the urban markets, there is a demand fordecorative objects that have become removed from their traditional use in the festivities.