02 November 2009

El Día de los Muertos...

Images from this years El Dia de los Muertos celebration in Prescott...

The celebration was held on All Saints Day (rather than today...which is All Souls Day, and the official Day of the Dead, I believe...) and was started off by a traditional mariachi band...which was wonderful, although mariachi music always makes me a bit hungry for Mexican food if the truth is told.

The mariachis were also the official leaders of the parade, which started out from the town square and went down to Sharlot Hall where there were many little altars and art set up to enjoy.

Traditional dancing by little girls.



And traditional dancing by bigger people...all the dancing was colorful and festive. It is such a pleasure to see traditional dancers from different cultures any time!

And the viewing of altars and art and sugar skulls.

Many made from sugar and decorated with icing
(I presume...I've never decorated a sugar skull, but I find them simply fantastic!)

And a few from other non-traditional materials...

An amazing celebration of death...as we were surrounded by music and skeletons and memories. Each alter symbolizing food, drinks, hobbies, stories, pictures and memories of dearly departed. I can only imagine how wonderful it would be to celebrate this holiday in Mexico where it originated. I was talking to a friend of mine who is originally from Mexico and she expressed how beautiful it is to walk by the graveyards on this day...each one is decorated with many marigolds and other things...paying respect and remembering those who have come before us and celebrating this day with those that are still among us. Perhaps an unusual celebration of death but really...we're all going to attend that part of the journey at some point...at least this way it doesn't seem so scary and lonely, but rather more colorful, pungent and festive.

Happy Day of the Dead to you.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh how fun!
I spent a summer in prescott and all of the events at the square were always my favorite! Makes me want to go up there soon.

Kristal said...

I have always wanted to attend a Day of the Dead festival. Wonder if that was why I was craving Mexican food last night? LOL!!

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