Death came late to Mahahual this year

Day of the Dead, the Mexican celebration known all around the world for its traditions and folklore, was celebrated like every year here in Mahahual, only this time, it came a couple of days late. The official date is November 2nd, but this year the day landed on a Monday, so it was a perfect opportunity to make it a long weekend. Schools, banks and government offices were closed in observation of this pagan/religious festivity. The 3rd November everyone went back to their normal schedule, but the day was not observed in the primary school due to the docking of a crew ship. The same happened the 4th. It was until November 5th that all the classrooms got ready to receive the living and the departed for a very special occasion.

The Municipality decided to organize a shrine competition between grades. Many local celebrities were invited to attend and serve as judges for each of the shrines, being graded on content and originality. Punta Gruesa's Programme Coordinator was one of the judges. The affair consisted in the judging committee going around each classroom to look at the shrines; each one with the objects that were relevant. The obvious ones: Day of the dead bread, hot chocolate, water, tamales special for that day (mukbupollo), flowers (usually zempaxuchil), toys (for the children who have past away), skulls made out of sugar and chocolate, fruits and sweets from this region, a cross and a walkway. Each classroom gave an explanation of each item along with what they represented. Common themes that people found interesting, and are good facts to know about the shrines and this day:

• The families of the deceased prepare a meal to go to the cemetery and eat the food there. The deceased’s favorite meal is prepared.

• Food is left by the grave. It is said that dead people cannot eat the food, but can savor it through their different smells. If the living go back the next day and try to eat the food that was left, they will find that the flavor is gone.
  

• The shrines should have a path, in representation of a path that is made with candles to guide the spirits in the right direction.

• The Day of the Dead shrine has changed throughout history. The blending in of other cultures has happened, mainly with indigenous and Spanish beliefs. Halloween is an American celebration which is trying to invade the Mexican market, so the making of the shrines in the public schools (and some private ones) are ways to keep the embedded traditions alive and well.
  

The votes were casted in and, as expected the older students from 5th and 6th grade came in 1st place. We actually voted for the 2nd grade to win, but in the end it didn’t really matter, because everyone was a winner, including the dead walking amongst us, if it only happens once a year, and this time, a couple of days late.

Death came late to Mahahual this year