It serves as a poignant tribute to lost friends and family members, and a vibrant cultural celebration of Mexico’s diverse heritage. It’s all happening during this dynamic annual celebration, running November 1 through 3. It takes place in San Andrés Mixquic, a small town where families gather to greet their ancestors, celebrating with rich customs, colorful altars, and joyous remembrance. The Day of the Dead is prominently infused with the culture of the ancient Aztec Empire. It cheerfully mixes native traditions with European, particularly the Christian celebration of All Saint’s Day.
Local resident Martha Nashieli Jiménez Bernal recalls her initial introduction to the festival, as she first experienced it at just five years old. That memory continues to make her smile today. “I remember my grandfather decorating our family’s altar,” she said. This beloved memory reminds us that the real magic of this holiday is personal. It equally focuses on its importance as perhaps the most vital cornerstone for family and culture. As the festival approaches, colorful marigolds mark the path from the underworld to San Andrés Mixquic. These flowers represent the unbreakable bond that joins the living and their dead friends.
A Sacred Communion
For the Jiménez family, the Day of the Dead is a joyous, colorful celebration. It has become their sacred communion with the spirits of their ancestors who have died. Each year, they meet at the community cemetery all day—from sunrise to sunset. They adorn graves and send off spirits on the third and final day of celebrations. This simple practice communicates profound honor and affection. It provides a unique opportunity for us to take stock of the lives that our predecessors created.
Martha shared that when it comes to her family, this climatic ritual is an act of faith. “It is an act of faith, of love, of peace,” she states. The pain of these days weighs heavy for Sabrina’s family and community. Each day, they expose themselves to rituals that continue to deepen their connection to their heritage beauty industry.
Visitors are invited to come witness and engage in this vibrant celebration but are encouraged to do so with the utmost respect. “A bond is formed, a connection with them,” Martha reflects on visitors who come to learn about their customs. “Even if we don’t know them, we know they come with respect and a desire to learn about our traditions.”
From Ancestors to Descendants
The Día de Muertos has rich origins dating back to the Aztec Empire. There, at the same time, ancient harvest celebrations brought communities together to commune with their lost ancestors. These practices were observed by Spanish monks who would subsequently shape how the festival would transform into its modern day form. Now, it serves as a national symbol of Mexican identity—a colorful, festive celebration that welcomes the living and respects the dead.
León Bernal Roque, another member of the Jiménez family, speaks about the role of memory in this tradition. “Memory should be important,” he says. For him, al Día de Muertos lo mira como una herencia, que se vive en el presente por cada generación. Looking at the festival through this lens reveals that it truly goes beyond a remembrance of peace. It decidedly doesn’t just play a passive role in preserving legacies for future generations.
Martha’s cousin Diana inspires this idea further by writing about her family’s experiences and how families can continue to foster these traditions. “Tourists, if they have a family member, can set up their own offering,” she notes. Including those stories creates such a shared fabric of continuity that it helps to make sure the legacy of honoring ancestors never dies.
A Celebration of Life and Death
What sets the Day of the Dead apart is that joyous and somber feelings exist simultaneously in perfect balance. Celebrants construct altars, or ofrendas, decorated with images, preferred dishes, and tokens from those who have gone before us. The spirit of gratitude and celebration is all around as families gather to remember and retell this history.
“My family is happy and joyful because these were days of hard work, days of great effort,” Martha remarks. Getting ready for this festival takes a tremendous amount of artistic vision and organizational know-how. It reflects a rich spirituality towards their ancestors and pride in their culture.
While these celebrations are certainly exciting, Martha recognizes that all have not been able to come to the table. “Some siblings came from far away. Others could not be here,” she shares, highlighting the bittersweet nature of reunion during such an important occasion.
