LivingTravelDay of Saints

Day of Saints

November 1 is celebrated throughout the Catholic world as Saints Day, or All Saints’ Day, to honor all the saints, known and unknown, of the Catholic faithful. While it may seem like it would be a sad affair, in many parts of South America it is a reason to celebrate.

Every day of the year they have their own saints or saints, but there are more saints than calendar days, and this important holy day honors all of them, including those who died in a state of grace but were not canonized. And, to keep things fair, November 2 is celebrated as All Souls Day.

Moving away from pagan beliefs

The Day of the Saints is also known as Dia de los Muertos or Day of the Dead. Like many other Catholic celebrations, in the New World it was grafted onto existing indigenous festivals to fuse the “new” Catholicism with the “old” pagan beliefs.

In countries where Europeans eventually reduced indigenous populations, one way or another, the celebrations gradually lost their native meaning and became a traditional Catholic event. That is why the day is known by many different names and also why it is celebrated differently from one city to another and from one country to another.

In Latin American countries where indigenous culture is still strong, such as Guatemala and Mexico in Central America, and in Bolivia in South America, the Day of the Saints is an important mix of many influences. It is possible to see that the older indigenous customs and traditions are mixed with the new Catholic traditions.

In Central America, the dead are honored with visits to graves, often with food, flowers, and all members of the family. In Bolivia, the dead are expected to return to their homes and villages.

The Andean emphasis is agricultural, since November 1 is in spring south of the equator. It is time to return the rains and the re-flowering of the earth. The souls of the dead also reaffirm life again.

Traditions of the Day of the Saints

During this time, the doors are opened to guests, who enter with clean hands and share traditional dishes, particularly favorites of the deceased. The tables are adorned with figures of bread called t’antawawas , sugar cane, chicha, sweets and decorated cakes.

In cemeteries, souls are greeted with more food, music, and prayers. Rather than a sad occasion, All Saints’ Day is a joyous event. In Ecuador, families go to cemeteries to celebrate, it is a party with food, alcohol and dance to remember their loved ones.

In Peru, November 1 is celebrated nationally, but in Cusco it is known as the Day of All Living Saints or Day of the Living Saints and is celebrated with food, particularly the famous suckling pig and tamales. November 2 is considered the Day of the Dead Saints or Day of the Dead Saints and is honored with visits to cemeteries.

Wherever you are in Latin America on the first and second of November, enjoy the local festivals. You will notice that the streets turn colorful and if you play your cards right you may be invited to join.

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