With the aroma of wet earth and the characteristic hustle and bustle of these days before Day of the Dead, Merida prepares to receive its faithful departed.
In the pantheons of the city, a vibrant mosaic of colors and aromas surrounds the tombs, while entire families dedicate themselves to beautifying the last home of your loved ones.
The Hanal Pixán traditionor “food of the souls”, is one of the most deeply rooted in the yucatecan culture.
During November 1 and 2, it is believed that the pixanes, Spirits of the deceased descend to Earth to visit their loved ones and enjoy the offerings, which may be favorite foods or drinks prepared by those who remember them, but also to receive the appropriate respects.
In the pantheons of Merida, The coexistence between the living and the dead is already palpable. Families share stories, laughter and even tears as they remember their loved ones in the process of beautify the last resting place of those who went ahead on the path.
INCLUDES CHILDREN AND ADULTS
And it is not an activity reserved only for adults; In the cemeteries, also from these dates, children arrive full of curiosity, they listen to stories and anecdotes of relatives they did not know, but who, In the voices of their elders, they learn about the importance of honoring those who are no longer here.
The cemetery of Xoclán, Along with the General, he is one of the references in the state capital. At this point in the west of the Yucatecan capital, families are already arriving to carry out the maintenance corresponding to these dates. Meridanos take care of bothand paint how to remodel the cryptss.
Las Sisters Mary and Guadalupe Medina Soberanis They are two women who come every year on previous days to make the preparations. In Xoclán is the final resting place of both his father and his nephew.
“We come before or in the mere Day of the Dead. First we buy sweets to remember the children, then the next day it is for the adults,” María commented. The Medina Soberanis sisters also make rosaries in memory of the faithful departed, and this year will be no exception. They announced that the next thing is to take the respective floral arrangements to the graves.
“Here we will celebrate our faithful deceased on November 2. The advantage is that this year they are leaving the cemetery beautiful; They have already plastered the hallways, so in just over a week we will be waiting for them,” they noted.
David Nájera has already prepared for the upcoming dates; maintained and painted the tomb, a activity which he does every year, and even commented that sometimes he offers this service to people who do not have time to do it.
Don Gregorio Cervera prepares the grave of his deceased grandson, a minor. The last resting place is full of elements to remember him: helium balloons, toys and even some sweets are part of an early offering for November 1.
“For my part, I do not wait for the days around November 1st. Every week I rest I take the opportunity to fix his grave. My grandson was a very strong warrior; I compare him to Goku, so I put his drawings and thoughts. Every week I come to leave him his juice, his candy and his toys,” he shared.
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