The traditional Dia de la Muertos (Day of the Dead) Mexican celebration was observed on Friday by the Embassy of Mexico in Georgetown.
The Day of the Dead is officially celebrated on November 2nd and correlates with All Souls day on the Catholic calendar. The celebrations usually include music, plays and other forms of entertainment which are dedicated to the lives of persons who have died.
As part of the tradition, altars are made in homes, government buildings, schools and other public places with photos of persons who would have died. At the altars relatives pray and leave offerings like food and even alcoholic beverages.
The lives of children who would have died are however celebrated on November 1st which is known as the “Day of the Innocent”. While the symbol of the dead is the skull, many persons may confuse the symbols as part of Halloween celebrations however the two are not related.
Ambassador of Mexico to Guyana Jose Omar Hurtado Conteras told those present at the celebrations, which was held at the Embassy of Mexico, that the most traditional aspect of the celebrations is the altar like the one which was placed in the Embassy and celebrated influential Guyanese and Mexican figures who would have died in 2019.
The altar featured photographs of Ron Savory, Johnny Braff, Miguel Leon-Portilia, Jose Jose and Francisco Toledo.
As part of the celebrations at the Embassy, guests were treated to Mexican delicacies, including “Bread of the Dead,” which is a small round bread with crosses placed in the center.
