Experience the Day of the Dead in Oaxaca

Oaxaca is perhaps one of the states in Mexico where the Day of the Dead is celebrated best. This is partly because of how the people of Oaxaca have managed to preserve their traditions. Therefore, every year, it becomes increasingly challenging to find rooms in 5-star hotels in Oaxaca, as everyone wants to live this experience at least once in their lives.

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In the following article, we will describe how to make the most of the Day of the Dead and stay at one of the most beautiful hotels in Oaxaca, El Callejón.

How is the Day of the Dead celebrated in Oaxaca?

The Day of the Dead in Oaxaca is a full-fledged celebration. It is a popular ceremony that invokes the spirits of ancestors to invite them to coexist in the earthly realm. The goal is that once they visit the land of the living, we all honor them in the most attentive way. Hence the beautiful tradition of the Day of the Dead altar.

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The legend originates from pre-Hispanic cultures, where it was believed that the dead obtained permission to visit their relatives. They could return home because they were attracted by their old belongings, and once they arrived, they would be welcomed with their favorite foods.

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It is worth mentioning that the current tradition has colonial influences. While there are traces of death representations in cultures that flourished before the arrival of the Spaniards, the days associated with this festival today are related to Spanish evangelization. Indigenous cultures believed that with the wind, the spirits of the deceased would come to visit, and they welcomed them with celebrations in their honor.

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This celebration is entirely different from Halloween; however, it is curious how distant cultures consider that during these dates, there is a connection between the earthly world and the world of the dead. It is important to remember that they are entirely different; in Mexico, death is celebrated, while in others, there is talk of witches and creatures from the underworld.

Celebration in cemeteries

The Day of the Dead is a mix of tradition, worship, celebration, magic, and history in Oaxaca. Ultimately, it is a celebration you'll want to enjoy by staying at a 5-star hotel in Oaxaca. The spectacle unfolds in cemeteries, such as the Panteón General adorned with more than two thousand four hundred candles, or the Day of the Dead Altars contest, with magnificent decorations on the graves. Going to the cemetery will be an event you won't want to miss.

Altars of the Dead

All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day are the perfect occasion to visit and stay at a 5-star hotel in Oaxaca. In this Mexican state, people practice their ancestral customs in various ways. Some pray for their relatives who crossed to the beyond, others visit cemeteries, and, of course, the emblematic altars of the dead.

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A significant part of the Day of the Dead celebration is reflected in the creation of the altars of the dead, which consist of placing offerings to honor deceased family members. These altars are usually set up on a table with a white tablecloth or sheet, or with cut tissue paper; on the front legs of the table, sugar canes are tied, shaped like a triumphal arch, welcoming the faithful departed.

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Likewise, marigold flowers or 'cempasúchil' and a candle should be used to guide the deceased to their offerings. Depending on family tradition, religious images and photographs of the deceased may be used. It is most common to place photographs of the deceased to remember them properly.

How to visit Oaxaca during the Day of the Dead festivities?

If you are thinking of celebrating the Day of the Dead in Oaxaca, the first step is to book your room at one of the best hotels in Oaxaca, El Callejón. We are located a couple of streets from the historic center of the city and very close to the Panteón del Barrio de Xochimilco.

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The ideal dates to experience the celebration are at the end of October and the beginning of November. Don't forget to try the 'pan de muerto' (bread of the dead) produced in these lands, as each one has a different touch.

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To book your room, visit our website in the rooms section. There, you can choose the type of stay that best suits your needs. If you need more information about our services, contact us through the following phone lines (951) 351 1564 and (951) 351 5917.