Part Two

The prepared food for the celebration of the newly deceased in the Purhepecha Plateau in the State of Michoacan, is offered first to the deceased, so that they may take advantage of the vital flow of the food on the altar; the physical part is left for relatives and friends.

The Purhepecha, like the Maya, are a culture of corn, therefore not only the nutritional value of this product of the earth is rooted here, but the cultural value as well.

Animecha Ke’jtsitakua – Offering of the Dead

Among the traditional foods that are prepared for the celebration, the corunda (tamal) called huaparikata stands out, made from a base of new corn, that begins to be harvested in October, giving it a five point star shape, like a geometric figure.

This corunda that also represents the star or the atomo divino (soul) of the dead, like the parakatatsitsiki flower, relates to the swarm of butterflies that for many represents the return of the souls.

The pan de muerto (bread of the dead), with its own designs depicting the beliefs of that region, is made in the shape of a rabbit – aguani – that represents man, since in San Lorenzo the belief is that the soul, is the daughter of the moon. The bread with the human figure – guapita – in the form of a doll represents the woman.

From the day before the first of November in San Lorenzo, the women, relatives and friends rise early to prepare the chile for the nacatamales. At midnight, the church bells ring, announcing the arrival of the souls.The hosts boil the corn in wood ash to make the nixtamal, and very early the next day they make great quantities of batter for the nacatamales, along with the red mole of the guajillo chile. The atapakua is seasoned with mushroom, green vegetables, beef, and many times it is made from a vegetable base, according to each family’s preference. (more…)

Part One

It is a pleasure to let oneself travel down the paths that open up before one’s gaze, especially those that lead to the villages that are found bordering Uruapan. A few kilometers outside of this city, the second most important in the state of Michoacan, the P’urhepecha plateau, covered with avocado trees and corn, and surrounded by a mountain chain, presents a landscape that opens up into plains.The plateau population seems to be frozen in time, and reaching them represents the clear possibility of discovering cultural treasures, that the settlers (trustees) watch over with special care.

Uruapan is the doorway to the P’urhepecha plateau, a region where old villages are situated. These beautiful handcrafts reflect, through their tonalities, the cosmovision of their inhabitants and their intimate relationship with the colors that nature provides.

The difference of the celebration between the lake area and the plateau is very pronounced.

According to Luis Daniel Benites Perez, from the Cultural Development Office of the City of Uruapan, it is confirmed that the indigenous communities that speak Purepecha are the ones that maintain the belief that the souls will arrive during the celebration of Jimbankua, or newly deceased. It is fundamental for its inhabitants to celebrate their dead. It is about a spiritual commitment, similar to the celebration they are accustomed to making in honor of a saint, during the local holidays. (more…)

The Day of the Dead, also known as All Souls Day, is celebrated in México and in all of Latin America on November 2nd. In the larger cities, Catholics attend morning Mass and then gather at cemeteries to cover the tombs of their loved ones with flowers and prayers. However, a very special ceremony that is a blend of the religious and the pagan is held on the Island of Janitzio in the State of Michoacan. This is an annual ceremony that reaches across borders and attracts thousands of tourists.The tourist who is fortunate enough to witness the preparation for this notorious event that is also celebrated in Patzcuaro; is left with an unforgettable experience. Patzcuaro is located on the bank of the lake that bears the same name and 312 kilometers from the city of Guadalajara, the second largest city in the country of Mexico.The ancient P’urhepecha chose to establish themselves in the lush region of Michoacan in the XIV Century. It was the center of their kingdom. Local folklore has it that, “the blue gods of water lived in this region.”Patzcuaro was the metropolis for many years, but it later became a recreational site for the nobility that lived in Tzintzuntzan, under the rule of Tzitsipandacuri.

During the XVI Century, the Episcopal seat was bestowed to Don Vasco de Quiroga. Quiroga later moved to Valladolid, taking the Episcopal seat with him, but this Christian influence made its mark on the area.
The men and women of this town have actively participated in the different epochs of the history of Mexico. Without a doubt, the attraction of Patzcuaro is rooted in the pure Spanish architecture that has survived through the ages. Indeed it was so beautifully designed that Don Vasco de Quiroga hoped to make it the capital province of Michoacan.

Because of this architectural beauty, it is good to be there ahead of time for the celebration on the Day of the Dead. Indeed, it’s advisible to make reservations at least one month in advance since the cultural events that start on the 28th of October, attract many people. It could be said that a major attraction is the opportunity to participate in the Tianguis, which is a craft fair where one can purchase flowers for the altars that are placed on the tombs on the first of November. It is very easy to pass time observing the beauty and the completion of Michoacan craft, all the while lamenting one’s inability to buy up all one desires in Christmas ornaments and colorfully decorated confections. The general atmosphere is one of fiesta.

You get to the Island of Janitzio by boat. The fishermen put on a lavish show to welcome tourists, performing impressive demonstrations with their butterfly nets. At the summit of the island, the stone statue of Morelos dominates the view, with its out-stretched hand extending a welcome to native and foreigner alike.

On this island, just as in the town of Ihuatzio, Tzintzuntzan, Huecorio, Jaracuaro, Zurumutaro; the pagan rite is mixed with the religious ceremony creating, at one instant, an atmosphere of joy and sadness. (more…)