People in Mexico and other Latin American countries have been celebrating Da de Muertos, or the Day of the Dead, for the past two days, paying homage to departed family members and honouring death as a part of life. The parades include depictions of the character La Catrina, terrifying skeletons, and other symbols of death and the underworld.
Pictures from the Day of the Dead, 2022
Día de Muertos or Día de los Muertos is a holiday that is traditionally observed on November 1 and 2, though other dates, such as October 31 or November 6, may be included depending on the region. These celebrations can take on an incredible tone as celebrants recall amusing events about the deceased. Here are a few images from Mexico, Peru, the United States, and other places.
#15 San Pablo Autopan cemetery
SAN PABLO AUTOPAN, MEXICO – NOVEMBER 1: A general view of the San Pablo Autopan cemetery during ‘Day of the Dead’ celebrations on November 1, 2022 in San Pablo Autopan, Mexico. Considered one of the most popular celebrations in Mexico, the Day of the Dead takes place every year on November 1 and 2. The celebration is one of the most colorful and popular in the country; people set offerings, decorate homes and cemeteries and organize family gatherings as a tribute to the dead. (Photo by Cristopher Rogel Blanquet/Getty Images)
A long-exposure shot of the San Pablo Autopan cemetery on November 1, 2022, during Day of the Dead celebrations in San Pablo Autopan, Mexico.
MEXICO CITY, MEXICO – OCTOBER 29: Figures dressed as typical characters of Mexican culture during the ‘Day of The Dead Festival’ (Festival de DÌa de Muertos) at Paseo de la Reforma on October 29, 2022 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Jaime Nogales/Medios y Media/Getty Images)
On October 29, 2022, performers parade down Paseo de la Reforma in Mexico City, Mexico.
People with their faces painted as skulls participate in the traditional Mayan commemoration of the dead “Hanal Pixan” or “Parade of the Souls” (Paseo de las Animas) during Day of the Dead celebrations, in Merida, Mexico October 28, 2022. REUTERS/Lorenzo Hernandez
People dressed as skulls take part in the traditional Mayan commemoration of the dead Hanal Pixan, or Paseo de las Animas (“Parade of the Souls”), on October 28, 2022, during Day of the Dead celebrations in Mérida, Mexico.
#12 Da de Muertos offering is set up in the Atzompa graveyard
ATZOMPA, MEXICO – NOVEMBER 01: A traditional ‘Dia de Muertos’ offering is set up during ‘Day of the Dead’ celebrations on the graveyard of Atzompa on November 01, 2022 in Atzompa, Mexico. Considered one of the most popular celebrations in Mexico, the Day of the Dead takes place every year on November 1 and 2. The celebration is one of the most colorful and popular in the country; people set offerings, decorate homes and cemeteries and organize family gatherings as a tribute to the dead. (Photo by Manuel Velasquez/Getty Images)
On November 1, 2022, a traditional Da de Muertos offering is set up in the Atzompa graveyard in Atzompa, Mexico.
#11 Yucatán community representation of the souls of the dead
A couple dressed up as Animas, a representation of the souls of the dead by the community of Yucatan, is pictured during the performance of “La Vaqueria de las Animas” in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico. October 31, 2022. REUTERS/Camille Ayral
On October 31, 2022, a couple dressed as Animas, a Yucatán community representation of the souls of the dead, is photographed during the performance of La Vaqueria de las Animas in Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico.
#10 Tenancingo de Degollado
TENANCINGO DE DEGOLLADO, MEXICO – OCTOBER 29: A woman dresses up as part of the preparations for ‘Day Of The Dead’ in Mexico on October 29, 2022 in Tenancingo de Degollado, Mexico. Considered one of the most representative traditions, the day of the dead takes place during the first two days of November. Mexicans prepare to have full celebrations after two years of restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Cristopher Rogel Blanquet/Getty Images)
In Tenancingo de Degollado, Mexico, a woman dresses up in preparation for the Day of the Dead on October 29, 2022.
#9 Fiesta del Ayote, in the municipality of Tonacatepeque
SAN SALVADOR, EL SALVADOR – NOVEMBER 01: A faithful dressed with a mythological character costume looks on during the traditional ‘Calabiuza’ or ‘Fiesta del Ayote’ in the municipality of Tonacatepeque on November 1, 2022 in San Salvador, El Salvador. The singular tradition has been celebrated for over a century, people disguised walk on the streets representing the myths and legends that have been told through the years by the inhabitants. (Photo by Kellys Portillo/APHOTOGRAFIA/Getty Images)
On November 1, 2022, in San Salvador, El Salvador, a person dressed as a mythological character watches the traditional Calabiuza, or Fiesta del Ayote, in the municipality of Tonacatepeque.
#8 Dead parade in the Sunset Park neighbourhood of New York City’s Brooklyn borough
NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 30: People participate in a Day of the Dead parade on October 30, 2022 in the Sunset Park neighborhood in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. Day of the Dead is a celebratory holiday to remember the dead and this was the first annual Day of the Dead parade sponsored by the Mexican community in Sunset Park.(Photo by Stephanie Keith/Getty Images)
On October 30, 2022, people take part in a Day of the Dead parade in the Sunset Park neighbourhood of New York City’s Brooklyn borough.
#7 Festival de los Altares, an 18-meter-tall Catrina sculpture
ZAPOTLANEJO, MEXICO – OCTOBER 29: General view of a large sculpture of a Catrina which is 18 meters high and 1 kilometer of fabric rests in the streets of Zapotlanejo town during the “Festival de los Altares” as part of the preparations for ‘Day Of The Dead’ in Mexico on October 29, 2022 in Zapotlanejo, Mexico. Considered one of the most representative traditions, the day of the dead takes place during the first two days of November. Mexicans prepare to have full celebrations after two years of restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Leonardo Alvarez Hernandez/Getty Images)
During the Festival de los Altares, an 18-meter-tall Catrina sculpture sits in the streets of Zapotlanejo as part of the preparations for Day of the Dead in Mexico on October 29, 2022.
#6 An Indigenous woman decorates the grave of a loved one
An indigenous woman decorates the grave of her loved one with Cempasuchil Marigolds at a cemetery during the annual Day of the Dead celebration, in San Miguel Canoa, in Puebla state, November 1, 2022. REUTERS/Quetzalli Nicte-Ha
On November 1, 2022, an Indigenous woman decorates the grave of a loved one with cempaschil (marigolds) at a cemetery in San Miguel Canoa, Puebla, Mexico.
#5 People walk through the Nueva Esperanza cemetery
People walk through the Nueva Esperanza cemetery in the shantytown Villa Maria in Lima, Peru, Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022. Renewing a tradition that was stalled during the COVID-19 pandemic, Peruvian authorities have granted full access to cemeteries on the Day of the Dead, where thousands of Peruvians visit their deceased loved ones. (AP Photo/Martin Mejia)
On November 1, 2022, people walk through the Nueva Esperanza cemetery in Lima’s shantytown Villa Mara. Peruvian authorities have restored full access to cemeteries on Day of the Dead, reviving a tradition that was halted during the coronavirus pandemic. Thousands of Peruvians visit their deceased loved ones.
#4 Performers take part in the Muerteada in Etla
ETLA, MEXICO – NOVEMBER 01: Perfomers take part in the ‘Muerteada’ as part of the ‘Day of the Dead’ celebrations on November 01, 2022 in Etla, Mexico. Considered one of the most popular celebrations in Mexico, the Day of the Dead takes place every year on November 1 and 2. The celebration is one of the most colorful and popular in the country; people set offerings, decorate homes and cemeteries and organize family gatherings as a tribute to the dead. (Photo by Manuel Velasquez/Getty Images)
On November 1, 2022, performers take part in the Muerteada, which is part of the Day of the Dead celebrations in Etla, Mexico.
#3 Figures dressed as traditional Mexican characters
MEXICO CITY, MEXICO – OCTOBER 29: Figures dressed as typical characters of Mexican culture during the ‘Day of The Dead Festival’ (Festival de DÌa de Muertos) at Zocalo on October 29, 2022 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Jaime Nogales/Medios y Media/Getty Images)
Figures dressed as traditional Mexican characters during the Day of the Dead Festival at Mexico City’s Zócalo on October 29, 2022.
#2 Santa Mara Atzompa, Oaxaca, Mexico
An indigenous woman sits by the grave of her relative during the annual Day of the Dead celebration, at a cemetery in Santa Maria Atzompa, Oaxaca, Mexico November 1, 2022. REUTERS/Jorge Luis Plata
On November 1, 2022, an Indigenous woman sits by the grave of a relative at a cemetery in Santa Mara Atzompa, Oaxaca, Mexico, during the annual Day of the Dead celebration.
#1 HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 29: An attendee poses at the 23rd Annual Dia De Los Muertos at Hollywood Forever on October 29, 2022 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images)
On October 29, 2022, in Hollywood, California, an attendee poses at the 23rd Annual Dia de los Muertos at Hollywood Forever.
