A clever mix of pre-Hispanic and Catholic rituals, the traditions of All Souls' Day are passed down from one generation to the next within Mexican families. The state of Michoacan, which photographer Jeoffrey Guillemard visited, is located 350 km west of Mexico City. Frequented by thousands of tourists during this period, this splendid region of lakes and mountains was called “gate to heaven” by the Tarascan Indians. It is the historical cradle of the Day of the Dead, celebrated each year with fervor, well before the Spanish conquest. When the Franciscans, then the Jesuits, evangelized the region from the 16th century, the Indians began to celebrate All Saints' Day according to Catholic rites without renouncing their ancestral cults of the dead. In the Tarascan tradition, the spirit of deceased loved ones continues to inhabit the present and their memory must be maintained by the living through offerings.
The vigil of November 1st is dedicated to little angels, children who have already left this world. The following night celebrates those who passed away as adults. On the graves, embroidered towels, baskets overflowing with food and clay pots filled with water are placed. Over the centuries, this popular festival has spread to most Mexican states. It is now listed as a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage.
