Place ID

Ocotepec Mexico during Dia de Muertos

Region:	Central America
Country:	Mexico
City:	Ocotepec outdifr of Cuernavaca in the state of Morelos

Description

On Oct. 31, the humble people of Ocotepec open their doors to the world, sharing the massive altars that they've built honoring their dead. For the "newly dead" of that year, the altars take up an entire room, complete with the must-have components: cempacuchitl--marigolds, or the flower of the dead to guide the souls back to their homes and to the gravesites; velas--ribbon-adorned candels; purple papel picado--hand cut paper streamers in the color of the newly dead; the favorite food and drink of the newly departed; and of course, calaveras de azucar--sugar skulls adorned with glitter and usually with the name of the departed written in icing or sequins across the forhead...

Guests from all over the world come there to witness the phenomenon, paying tribute to the lives lost that year, bringing something to add to each altar--fruit, bread, flowers, or candles. The homeowners share some sweet tamales and ponche--a hot cider, with each guest. Even the dogs and children seem to understand the solemn nature of the event, and are quiet and reverant.

Submitted by: Belinda Prattis-Fonseca