The Day of the Dead in Los Cabos

Mexico isn’t the only country to honor the deceased with official days of remembrance, but the nation’s observances are so visually distinctive and emotionally resonant, its iconography so potent, that Day of the Dead is often thought of as an exclusively Mexican holiday.

The roots of Dia de Muertos, or Day of the Dead, date back in Mexico to the time of the Aztecs, when festivals for Mictecacihuatl, queen of the underworld, were celebrated each year in August. After colonization by the Spanish, indigenous practices often became syncretized – essentially folded into the state religion of Catholicism – to avoid discrimination or suppression.

Since the Spanish colonial period, Day of the Dead remembrances have coincided with the Catholic observance of Allhallowtide, from October 31st to November 2nd. Traditions vary from region to region, but include visits to the graves of deceased forebears, and the building of altars (called ofrendas) at home to welcome the returning souls of children (Nov. 1) and adults (Nov. 2)

Ofrendas are one of the items most synonymous with Day of the Dead. These private altars are often adorned with traditional items like cempasúchil flowers (Aztec marigolds), calaveras de azúcar (candy skulls), and pan de muerto (a sweet bread made especially for Day of the Dead); but are also often stocked with favorite food and drinks of the dearly deceased.

Perhaps the most famous symbol of the holiday, however, is Catrina: an elegantly costumed female skeleton. Catrina was the creation of a famed Mexican illustrator named Jose Guadalupe Posada, and first appeared between 1910 and 1913, as an image meant to satirize Mexicans with pretensions to European gentility.

Another notable Mexican artist, Diego Rivera, helped to re-popularize the Catrina figure when he included her in his 1948 mural, Dream of a Sunday Afternoon in Alameda Central (now housed in the Diego Rivera Mural Museum in Mexico City).

Today, Catrina figures proliferate throughout Mexico – they are a staple at art galleries and souvenir shops – and are commonly seen throughout Los Cabos during the Day of the Dead period.

Day of the Dead should not be confused with Halloween (which originated as a harvest festival), although they take place at approximately the same time, and many Mexican children, particularly in Los Cabos, have become fond of U.S. Halloween traditions like dressing up in costumes and “trick or treating” for candy.

So if you happen to be in cape cities Cabo San Lucas or San Jose del Cabo on Oct. 31, it couldn’t hurt to buy a bag of candy just in case…and to keep an open mind to the presence of powerful spirits.

Photo courtesy of Tomás Castelazo (Wikimedia Commons).

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 Upcoming Event Calendar

October

Sammy Hagar Birthday Concerts – Oct. 9, 11, 13 – 14

Fiestas Patronales (Patron Saint Festival) in Cabo San Lucas – Oct. 17 – 22

Los Cabos Billfish Tournament – Oct. 15 – 19

Bisbee’s Los Cabos Offshore – Oct. 19 – 22

Bisbee’s Black & Blue – Oct. 24 – 28

David Pack’s Legends Live at Bisbee’s Black & Blue – Oct. 28

IAGTO Golf Tourism Convention – Oct. 29 – Nov. 4

Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) – Oct. 31 – Nov. 2

November

San José del Cabo Art Walk – Thursday evenings, 5 – 9 p.m., November through June

WON Los Cabos Tuna Jackpot Tournament – Nov. 1 – 4

Jim Flick Invitational Golf Tournament at Cabo del Sol – Nov. 7 – 12

Los Cabos International Film Festival – Nov. 8 – 12

Ironman Los Cabos Triathlon – Nov. 12

50th SCORE Baja 1000 – Nov. 14 – 18

Día de la Revolucion (Revolution Day) – Nov. 20

Día de Acción de Gracias (Thanksgiving) – Nov. 23

Extreme Sailing Series – Nov. 30 – Dec. 3

December

LigaMAC Christmas Party – Dec. 5

Dressed to the K-9s Charity Gala – Dec. 8

Sabor a Cabo Food and Wine Festival –  Dec. 9

Feast Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe – Dec. 12

Whale Watching Season – Mid-December to Mid-March

Las Posadas – Dec. 16 – 24

Nochebuena (Christmas Eve) – Dec. 24

Navidad (Christmas) – Dec. 25

Día de los Inocentes – Dec. 28

Nochevieja (New Year’s Eve) – Dec. 31

January

Día de los Tres Reyes Magos (Three Kings Day)  – Jan. 6

Tropic of Cancer Concert Series in Todos Santos – Jan. 11 – 21

Los Cabos Pro-Am Golf Tournament – Jan. 15 – 19

La Ventana Classic (Kiteboard and Windsurfing Tournament) – Jan. 17 – 21

Todos Santos Writers Workshop – Jan. 27 – Feb. 3

February

Todos Santos Open Artists’ Studio Tour –  Feb. 10 – 11

Valentine’s Day Dinner at Sunset da Mona Lisa – February 14

Carnaval La Paz – Dates Not Yet Announced

Los Barriles Dog Show – Dates Not Yet Announced

March

Todos Santos Film Festival – Dates Not Yet Announced

Baja Shakespeare Festival – March 9 – 11, 14 – 17

El Triunfo Arts & Crafts Festival – Dates Not Yet Announced

East Cape Arts Festival – Dates Not Yet Announced

Fiestas Patronales in San José del Cabo – March 19

Annual Cheese & Wine Festival at Sheraton Hacienda del Mar – Dates Not Yet Announced