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Oaxaca, there is a whole street lined with flower vendors. The traditional
flower of dia de los muertos is an orange marigold. The flower
can be seen walking down the street in doorways, covering ofrendas,
and at churches. |
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The
ofrenda is a table or area decorated to hold the offerings
for the spirits. Especially in Oaxaca, it is considered a great
craft, and there is an ofrenda competition in the cemetery.
Once
the spirits return, they will be hungry and thirsty after their
long journey. Special foods will be prepared and set out on the
ofrenda. Tamales, pumkin cooked with brown sugar, cane
sugar and tejocotes, pan de muerto, chocolate, nuts and
fresh fruit, as well as local specialties like mole. The
favorite foods and drink of the honored deceased will be placed
out, as well their framed photos.
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The
ofrendas are decorated with special candles, cloth, paper and flowers.
The ofrenda can be laid out on the floor or set up in tiers
like the one at right. Some are fully lit up, others are in a dark
corner of the house or shop. They are always near a door, where
the food, drinks and treats can be of easy access to the deceased
when they first arrive.
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An ofrenda
at the cemetery
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| Another
decorative way to honor the dead is particular to Oaxaca. Tapete
de Arena, sand sculptures, are colored "carpets" made
from dyed sawdust, sand, seeds, and flower petals. Like the ofrenda,
making the tapete is almost an art form and there is a competition
for the best tapete de Arena in the city. The sand sculptures
are beautiful and very delicate; they and the ofrendas make
going from shop to shop along the streets of Oaxaca a treat during
dias de los muertos. |
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An
ofrenda in a local shop with a closeup of its beautiful
tapete de arena
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A
calavera tapete
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Tapete
at a village cemetery
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My
favorite tapete de arena in Oaxaca
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All
along the street leading from the cathedral to the beautiful Santo
Domingo Church are candles with paper tombstone-like inscriptions
decorated with flowers.
The
Oaxacans take the Day of the Dead very seriously, but they do it
with mirth and good cheer.
That's
about all the photos for the decorations that I have. Click on "Next"
to see photos and short video clips of the parades in Oaxaca City.
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