Death comes alive during the celebration of the Dias del Muertos in Oaxaca. The days where it is believed relatives who have passed away are allowed to return to the mortal world. People flock from all over to the Colonial city as Oaxaca is one of the premier locations to experience the event.

The festival which is a mixing of Pre-Hispanic and Catholic cultural and religious beliefs officially begins on
Oct 31st. Nov 1st honours deceased children (Dia de los Inocentes) and Nov 2nd Dia de los Muertos, adults are honoured.

Loved ones gather in the cemeteries to decorate the graves making alters and offerings of items they enjoyed when they were alive.The celebrations begin well before these three important dates with fire crackers being set off throughout the day and night. The pedestrian street Acala transforms into a magnificent display of sand sculptures depicting various religious and festive images, including Catrina the female skeleton that is a symbol of the days. Alters adorn with marigolds (the flower of death) overflow into the university and the Zocalo.

In the evenings parades erupt into the streets with massive 3 meter high puppets and bands. Don`t miss the chance to visit the cemetery in Xoxocatlan a spectacle awaits you. Once you get past the rows of vendors selling food, alcohol, coffee and hand made crafts an entrance opens to the graves and tombs that are elaborately decorated. Hundreds of people visit the cemetery throughout the day and into the early hours of the morning. It is best to go at night when everything is lit up and alive. Mariachi bands will play for people sitting by graves, sharing food and drinks. Amongst the graves people are selling delectable treats like candy floss and candy apples.

It is a nice way of dealing with the dead.It seems in western culture when someone dies they are just swept under the rug and forgotten about. How many people actually visit graves? With of a lot of western society not practising a type of faith we don`t really deal with the deceased too well. Maybe it would be better to do like the Mexicans and celebrate the people who have played such important roles in our lives.

If you are looking to learn more about the culture and traditions and take part in this unique tradition, ICC Spanish language School offers a range of tours.

http://www.day-of-the-dead.org