POP Style TV had a very unique opportunity to experience the celebration of Las Animas, Hanal Pixan in Merida, Mexico. This is a holiday celebrated throughout Yucatan Peninsula often called Maya Day of the Dead. Unique to other celebrations of the Day of the Dead because in the state of Yucatan the experience is lived with the living Maya in their communities.
Las Animas, Hanal Pixan in Mérida
Día de los Muertos, is one of Latin America’s most complex holidays bringing together different cultures to celebrate those who have already departed. In the State of Yucatán, the holiday usually features foods the departed loved ones liked, such as the Yucatecan chicken and pork pot pie dish, mucbilpollo, and a special egg-batter bread, pan de muerto, or bread of the dead. Gravesites and family altars in the homes are profusely decorated with flowers usually yellow, orange and purple, and adorned with religious amulets with offerings of food, cigarettes and alcoholic beverages for the adults and toys for the children.
Maya ball game
The celebration of Las Animas, Hanal Pixan, will once again take place this year as well. The traditional observance calls for departed children to be remembered Oct. 31, the Day of the Little Angels, or Día de los Angelitos, and for adults to be remembered on Nov. 1. All Saints Day, on Nov. 2 is for all the souls, and is called All Souls Day, or Día de los Fieles Difuntos.
Festival de las Ánimas has many events but experiencing Paseo de Animas parade, at the cemetery along with Renán Barrera Concha , Mayor of Mérida, was very special.
Noche de Catrinas
Very unique to the celebrations is Maya ball game, where two teams of warriors dressed as death compete. The winner has the honor of being sacrificed, well at least in the past. Of course no longer practiced.
Noche de Catrinas, or simply Catrinas Parade is a very uplifting part of the fun. Fancy skeletons donned in an elegant French dress, complete with white makeup, a hat, and feather boa parade through Remate Paseo de Montejo.
Another fascinating tradition is Vaquería dance. A celebration honoring the patron saint of a Yucatan village.
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Las Animas, Hanal Pixan in Mérida
Las Animas, Hanal Pixan in Mérida
Las Animas, Hanal Pixan in Mérida
Las Animas, Hanal Pixan in Mérida