We visited one of the “Day of the Dead” gatherings – where Mexican families and friends remember those who have died. This holiday has roots in earlier indigenous celebrations. (Visit one of our favorite websites – wikipedia.org – to learn more)
There is a large cultural center/theatre complex that was the site of a two-day event in La Paz (the first day to remember children, the second day for adults). In addition to several hours of (free) entertainment at a large outdoor stage, there were many elaborately decorated memorials to view, and a variety of food and craft vendors.
The memorial ofrenda (shrines) are commonly decorated with photographs of the deceased being honored, candles, marigolds, skull figures as masks or large sugar candies, plus food/beverage items that the departed enjoyed – such as Pepsi, beer, Tequila. Several Catrinas (costumed females with a skeleton face) walked around the festival and at the end of the evening there was a contest for the best ones in two age categories.
