Day of the Dead Market in San Miguel de Allende
by Victoria Challancin
In the post I wrote last year on Day of the Dead in El Día de los Muertos: The Poetry of Death, I started by saying:
"Mexicans celebrate life. Mexicans celebrate death. Mexicans celebrate--that is a joyous fact of life.
Firecrackers, parades, bands, food...families coming together, schools reinforcing traditions, life continuing in timeless ways midst the turmoil of modern change.
Reams have been written about Mexico's celebration of the Day of the Dead. Reams. Volumes. Often
I read that it is an example of how Mexicans laugh at death. I don't believe that Mexicans laugh at
death at all, rather they "celebrate" death as a means of staying connected and honoring those that they love, those who have passed on--albeit in a joyful and colorful way. No dreary mourning here. Instead we have a vivid connection to the Cycle of Life."
This year I give you a photo waltz through the special market set up to sell that which is necessary for altars to honor the dead for Dia de los Muertos. If you want to read more about Day of the Dead and its history, try here. Or if you want information about Sugar Skulls and how to make them, go here. Or to see the most beautiful long-legged sheep alfeñiques, given to me by dear friends, go here (scroll to end of post). But if you want to just enjoy some photos of the magical, inventive alfeñiques, or figures made from sugar, then join me below.
Alfeñiques
The People:
The Animals:
The Food:
And finally, two precious friends decked out as Catrinas for Halloween:
©Victoria Challancin. All Rights Reserved.
