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Cozumel islanders will honor lost loved ones, this week, as they celebrate El Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead. The special Mexican occasion celebrates the lives of ancestors, and other deceased family members and friends. |
Taking place on the first two days of November each year, the celebrations are approached joyously and are not morbid nor related to Halloween.
Events usually start the night before November 1 - All Saints Day or Día de Todos los Santos - and continue on November 2 - the Day of the Dead itself.
 Death and Mexican art (Painting: Mario Mizrahi). |
This year, a special altar and art exhibition are on show at the island's museum for locals and visitors to enjoy. Prizes will be awarded for the best art on Wednesday night at 8pm. Rather than mourning the dead this is a time to rejoice their lives, following a traditional Mexican belief that death is not the end, but the start of a new stage in life. Special altars are made offering the deceased relatives their favorite items from when they were alive. It is popular to include flowers and candles, but you may also see food, drink, tobacco and other curiosities. |
Marigolds are very popular, a sacred orange flower that represents death, and island bakers make special sweet skull-shaped pastries and flowers and memorials fill cemeteries.
Skull art on show at Discover Mexico and painting by local artist, Mario Mizrahi. Find more information about Cozumel events.
