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| The Night of the Dead begins with intense preparations in the city of Morelia and the surrounding villages in the state of Michoacan and all over the country of Mexico. Animecha Kejtzitacua began 450 years ago to honor the death of Vasco de Quiroga, a Franciscan monk who showed great humanity and compassion to the indigenous people of Michoacan and the Purepechan Indians. To honor and remember him the people developed a festival combining Catholic and pagan rituals that has become known as "Day of the Dead". In fact, the ceremony is at night. | |||||||||
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| At midnight the bells begin to toll for the spirits of the dead, awakening them to come and visit their friends and relatives. Even legends from long ago are welcome to come visit. Offerings of bread, flowers and candy await the souls of those so long departed. Flowers have been used since ancient times to communicate with the dead. Elaborate shrines are constructed and decorated with yellow flowers, photographs and candles. The idea is to please the dead. Many even receive their favorite meals. "Dead Bread" comes in loaves that are round, since according to legend the shape of your soul is oval. Their ingredients also have symbolic meaning. | |||||||||
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When the sun rises over the graveyard the souls and spirits return to the underworld until the next year. What they leave behind is misunderstood by the western world. A sense of completion and wholeness that you don't get by fearing death is embraced by the participants of "The Day of the Dead". The only comparable Christian holidays are "All Saints Day" and "All Souls Day." Assimilating the ways of their European ancestors, the people of Mexico use Noche de Muertos to help commune with the dead and reconcile their feelings of sorrow for their loved ones. It is also important for them to honor the past, for this will lead them to their future. This combination of beliefs and rituals serves to enrich and enhance the cultural well being of the people. It provides lessons that everybody should learn. | ||||||||
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Photographs by Bruce Herman, Copyright 1999 by Dia Y Noche Productions and Koop Films, Inc.
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