Dia de los Difuntos!

Monday, November 1st we celebrated All Saints Day in Bolivia. This day is to honor all saints, and people who have died that you consider saints. Tuesday, November 2nd was All Soul's day or Dia de los Difuntos. (It is similar to Dia de los Muertos, but in Bolivia the day of celebration is referred to as All Saint's Day! There are many similar traditions to the Day of the Dead practices celebrated in Mexico and other Latin American countries.) The girls did not have school either day, but we discussed the meaning of both days and the traditions. Some of the girls have lost parents or siblings, and it was a tough time for them.

Tuesday was a feriado, or holiday here, and some volunteers and I had the opportunity to visit the main cemetery in Cochabamba. We took the bus to the area, and there were tons of people--some women and children were selling flowers, mini beverages and food to place in the tombs, huge lunches, wreathes, etc. When we arrived at the cemetery, people were having picnics on the grassy areas, singing songs, decorating the tombs, enjoying the company of family, sharing food and drink together in honor of a loved one. I did notice how many family members were there to support each other!

Unless your family has money, the dead are buried on tombs in the wall. The buildings housing the tombs are one or two stories and have 5 or 6 tombs in a row on top of one another. The wealthier families have huge crypts that are decorated with glass and statues, huge letters and marble. So, even in the cemetery one can witness the difference and the separation between the classes in Cochabamba.

We walked around the cemetery observing and watching the celebrations and decorating.It was amazing to see tons and tons of Cochabambinos out celebrating and remembering the life of someone they loved and cared so much about!

When we exited it was as if we entered another world. On the road outside of the cemetery, huge tents were set up in dedication to loved ones. It was like a festival and a party! The family members were sitting around the display of food and candy, beverages and pictures drinking chicha (a traditional alcoholic beverage), eating huge meals, talking, playing games--just enjoying the family time and celebrating the life of the one they love and miss. The food and decorations set up on tarps and aguayos inside and outside of the cemetery was arranged in a certain order to help guide the spirit.

Visiting the cemetery on All Soul's Day was an incredible experience--taking in the sights and the sounds, the beauty of the celebration and the culture. I was captivated by the dedication to decorating and ensuring that a loved one's spirit was content. Many of the families must have spent so much time and so much money to decorate and provide food and drink to the visiting spirits. It is absolutely incredible how much reverence and respect the Bolivians have for those who have passed away.