Día de Muertos en Pátzcuaro

Day of the Dead in the Lake Pátzcuaro region—especially on the islands of Janitzio, Pacanda, and Jarácuaro—is considered the most authentic celebration of this purépecha tradition. On the night of November 1st to 2nd, hundreds of canoes illuminated with wax candles cross the dark lake carrying families and floral offerings to the island cemeteries where they keep vigil over their deceased to the rhythm of drums and flutes.

History

The purépecha tradition of honoring the dead predates the Spanish conquest and merged with All Saints' Day from the Catholic calendar in the 16th century. In 2003, UNESCO declared the Day of the Dead festival Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Pátzcuaro became the touristic epicenter of the celebration following National Geographic photographs in the 1970s, though the purépecha people of the region practice it in a completely private and family manner.