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Embracing death

AFP Published November 1, 2012
People in skull masks walk near an altar assembled in homage of people who died of diabetes and obesity, during a demonstration in front of the Mexican Ministry of Health in Mexico City. The walk was part of the Day of the Dead.
People in skull masks walk near an altar assembled in homage of people who died of diabetes and obesity, during a demonstration in front of the Mexican Ministry of Health in Mexico City. The walk was part of the Day of the Dead.
A woman in dressed up as the death poses with an Altar for the Dead in the background in Mexico city, during preparations on the eve of the Day of the Dead celebrations.
A woman in dressed up as the death poses with an Altar for the Dead in the background in Mexico city, during preparations on the eve of the Day of the Dead celebrations.
Visitors look at an art installation of skulls at an altar assembled by artists for Day of the Dead celebrations at the National Autonoma University of Mexico in Mexico City.
Visitors look at an art installation of skulls at an altar assembled by artists for Day of the Dead celebrations at the National Autonoma University of Mexico in Mexico City.
Visitors look on at an art installation of a skeleton and skulls at an altar assembled by artists for the Day of the Dead celebrations at the National Autonoma University of Mexico pictures in Mexico City.
Visitors look on at an art installation of a skeleton and skulls at an altar assembled by artists for the Day of the Dead celebrations at the National Autonoma University of Mexico pictures in Mexico City.
Not only is the day dedicated to remembering the dearly departed but also as a celebration of life that the living have still been given time to cherish. Aside from the intense symbolism of life and death, the thing of note is the vibrant arts and crafts and culinary exhibitions.
Not only is the day dedicated to remembering the dearly departed but also as a celebration of life that the living have still been given time to cherish. Aside from the intense symbolism of life and death, the thing of note is the vibrant arts and crafts and culinary exhibitions.
Mexican students at UNAM in Mexico City, during preparations on the eve of the Day of the Dead celebrations. The symbol most represented during the holiday in the form of masks and face paint, is the skull or calacas in colloquial terms.
Mexican students at UNAM in Mexico City, during preparations on the eve of the Day of the Dead celebrations. The symbol most represented during the holiday in the form of masks and face paint, is the skull or calacas in colloquial terms.
Altars or ofrendas are customarily built by public schools of all standings, offices too partake in building small scale altars as this holiday is very dear to Mexican tradition.
Altars or ofrendas are customarily built by public schools of all standings, offices too partake in building small scale altars as this holiday is very dear to Mexican tradition.
In the ancient rituals observed by pre-Hispanic civilizations, skulls were kept and shown during rituals as trophies and as symbols of death and rebirth.
In the ancient rituals observed by pre-Hispanic civilizations, skulls were kept and shown during rituals as trophies and as symbols of death and rebirth.
Tradition includes building altars honouring their deceased relatives and this year, the National Autonomous University of Mexico dedicated it to Mexico's indigenous peoples.
Tradition includes building altars honouring their deceased relatives and this year, the National Autonomous University of Mexico dedicated it to Mexico's indigenous peoples.
A skeleton figure is displayed at the Jamaica market in Mexico City to celebrate the Day of the Dead. The rituals that celebrate deaths of ancestors for this holiday date back to almost 2500 years.
A skeleton figure is displayed at the Jamaica market in Mexico City to celebrate the Day of the Dead. The rituals that celebrate deaths of ancestors for this holiday date back to almost 2500 years.
Mexican traditional sugar "Calaveritas" (Little Skulls) are displayed at the Jamaica market in Mexico City, as Mexicans prepare to celebrate the traditional Day of the Dead.
Mexican traditional sugar "Calaveritas" (Little Skulls) are displayed at the Jamaica market in Mexico City, as Mexicans prepare to celebrate the traditional Day of the Dead.

The Day of the Dead or if you want to sound particularly suave Día de los Muertos. The holiday is centered around reunions between friends and family to pray for the dearly departed. Mexico in particular is an avid participator in the event, where it is declared a national holiday.—Photos by AFP.

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