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In the firsts days of November the smell of incense perfumes most of Oaxaca, the Day of the Dead is celebrated.
The festivities of the Day of the Dead, also known as All Saints, are among the most important celebrated during the religious calendar, specially in the rural communities.
The origins of the Day of the Dead come from the very human need for transcendence after death, which has preoccupied all human groups. The denial of total disappearance has permitted the development of mythical ideas of the world of the dead.
The Day of the Dead starts on October 31st. In the market families buy flowers, incense, candles, food and other items with which they construct their Altars and make their offerings.
These altars are usually built on top of the table, covered with a white table cloth or decorative tissue paper, this is where the offerings are made.
The offerings are composed of delicious dishes which the dead will come to enjoy. Among these are found the famous mole, candied squash, chocolate and of course the delicious Bread of the Dead, a great variety of regional fruits are also found on all the altars.
The traditional flower of the Day of the Dead is the marigold or Cempasuchitl.
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The celebration continues through the first and the second of November.
During this colorful festival the people go to the cemetery to decorate
the graves of their loved ones with flowers, candles and even food.
All Saints in most of the villages of Oaxaca culminates in the visit
to the cemeteries on the second of November. The cemeteries turn
into veritable fair because aside from the decorations and offerings,
people sell regional fast foods like tacos
and tostadas and bands play
and mezcal
is passed around.
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