Day of the Dead~Guests

                      

In the previous entries, I spoke about preparing for the "guests" on the Day of the Dead. Just like a living guest, these cultures prepare for their deceased relatives, Saints, and icons to come to their home.

 

   A lit candle is left on the windowsill so that the guests can find their way in the dark. Favorite foods of the deceased guests, liquor, cigarettes, sweets, bread, and their favorite things are left out for them. Blankets and linens are laid out for them to sleep and wash-bins are left for them to wash up. There might also be a special place set for them at the dining table.

     

 

On this day, the living go to the deceased graves to clean the graves, adorn the graves with flowers, and to have a picnic with the deceased. They might also take a guitar or a mariachi band to serenade the deceased. The deceased is the guest of honor. The living share stories of the deceased and the fun things they did together. Food and liquor are shared just as if the person were alive. Some people are even said to spend the night at the cemetary.

 

There are also parades and carnivals, painted skeleton faces, and dressing up in skeleton costumes. It is a time of great joy, music, and dancing. 

 

 

In loving memory of Grandfather Francisco, Grandmother Maria, Grandfather Guadalupe, Grandmother Patra, Father Alfredo, HighSchool Classmate Shawn Kelly, Selena Quintanilla Perez, Marilyn Monroe, Princess Di, Mother Teresa, and Christopher Reeves.