Post 2 of Two: Conmemoración de los Fieles Difuntos

Conmemoración de los Fieles Difuntos (or "El Dia de los Muertos" or "Day of the Dead") is celebrated in all Latin American countries, and it is a celebration which is a mix of Catholicism and traditional beliefs and observes those who have passed away. It is celebrated in conjunction with Halloween and All Saints Day, and often involves picnicking in cemeteries and remembering and celebrating the lives of loved ones who have passed on.

We visited both the local, in town (Arica) cemetery and the one in the valley in San Miguel de Azapa. The atmospheres in both places were vastly different. The city cemetery, which serves mostly city residents, was quiet and somber, with most people sitting next to their loved ones graves and quietly grieving or reflecting. The valley cemetery, which serves mostly valley and hinterland residents, was much more lively and loud. Music was playing by several bands, people were celebrating and remembering the fun times, dancing, drinking beer, providing gifts and food to the deceased, etc. It was an interesting dynamic, particularly in the contrast between city (very Catholic) and the city (the opposite).

This day is a popular topic in Spanish classes, and we had the opportunity to participate and observe the holiday here in San Miguel de Azapa. Here are pics and video from today's events:

(Disclaimer: Applicable permissions were granted for pictures that are posted. In fact, many people asked for their pictures to be taken. And these pictures are only from the Valley celebrations, and not from the city celebrations.)