San Francisco's Mexican community celebrates Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) on All Soul's Day. People pay tribute to the spirits of their ancestors with a nocturnal procession through the Latino Mission District in fantastic costumes.

This is a family affair, evolving from the interface between the Catholic conquistadors and the Mesoamerican ceremonies in memory of the dead... [read more]

San Francisco's Mexican community celebrates Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) on All Soul's Day. People pay tribute to the spirits of their ancestors with a nocturnal procession through the Latino Mission District in fantastic costumes.

This is a family affair, evolving from the interface between the Catholic conquistadors and the Mesoamerican ceremonies in memory of the dead which, in pre-conquest times, took place in the summer month of Miccailhuitontli. The missionaries quickly realised the similarities in inspiration between these Aztec commemorations and their own All Soul's Day and moved the Aztec ceremonies by a season to early November (when All Soul's Day followed All Saint's Day, itself preceded by Halloween).

Dead ancestors are honoured by the building of altars, the cleaning of graves and by making offerings of food and flowers. There are candle-lit prayers and a lively street procession and everybody dresses up and throws food, flowers and candles.

Costumes veer toward the morbid, however, as the skeleton and skull are the symbols of the party. The skeletal mascot, known as Calacas, represents an active and happy afterlife with his wobbly limbs and smiling face.

In addition to the procession, over at Garfield Park the Marigold Project commissions five local artists to create a large shrine and visitors are invited to bring offerings - flowers, food, photos, mementos - to those who are no longer with us.

Food and drink are an integral part of the celebration, confirming as they do the festive spirit in which these commemorations are held. In some areas families even lay out a variety of food and drink at the local cemetery! Dishes include molé (a spicy chocolate dish served with chicken or turkey), atole (a corn drink flavoured with fruit), fun-shaped breads, tamales (meat cooked in maize and wrapped in banana leaves), fruit and even tequila. Families often leave plates of food alongside photos of the deceased and copali (scented candles).