Antique traditions still alive today in Mexico’s remote mountains under the care of the Mazatec Nation.
Witness the Days of The Dead ritual ceremony, this abstract, surreal and beautiful celebration is a unique happening in the world that you will never forget.
As you might know, this is one of the important dates for Mexicans, this is celebrated every year in the entire country, more less in the same way, yet in the Mazatec nation, this celebration happens in a completely different context. For the Mazatecs, these are the most important dates of the year. It is a profound and unique ritual ceremony where the entire Sierra is involved. The graveyards are fully dressed in offerings, color, flowers, incense, candles, food, music, traditional clothing, songs, and prayers.
The Huehuentones
The most fascinating part of this celebration is a special group of people that carry a huge responsibility rooted in their uses, customs, and beliefs, called “Huehuentones” who have to go through many years of special training to be able to do this unique work for their people.This group of meticulously selected people is carefully prepared for many years before being allowed to carry such responsibility are musicians, dancers, healers, and more. Their work consists in going to the graveyard with family members to invite the souls of the deceased ones to come to life through them, as if they would offer their body for the deceased to briefly come back in the world to visit their family and home, to see and dance with their loved ones and friends, to taste their favorite foods and drinks, and walk around their beloved town, visit their friend’s homes, and favorite places, and after a few days finally be taken back to their graves to rest until next year
