In an effort to be respectful, I am not sharing any photos of this. Outside the cemetary, lots of vendors sold flowers and traditional foods.
Another typical tradition associated with this holiday is the consumption of colada morada (purple juice) and guaguas de pan (bread babies). Guaguas de pan are pastries in the shape of babies and filled with flavors such as blackberry, guava, or chocolate. They are made out of bread and decorated with colorful sugar icing. Colada morada is a traditional beverage made out of blue corn, blackberries, and various herbs. The preparation of these foods is an important family tradition. I thought that they were both delicious! Do you have any special foods that you eat during holidays?
Ecuadorian culture features an interesting blend of indigenous, or native, and Spanish culture because this country was colonized by Spain. People in Ecuador have been celebrating their ancestors since before the Spanish came into the country. However, when the Spanish arrived, they brought the Christian traditions with them, too! Dia de los Difuntos, celebrated on November 2nd, is a blend of indigenous and Christian cutoms. In communities throughout Ecuador, this day is very special and is usually spent with family.
Although the connections between this holiday and the envrionment may not seem obvious, there are important relationships. For example, there is a strong connection between people and the burial sites of their ancestors.
