While a lot of people decided to culturally appropriate Day of the Dead make-up for Halloween, nobody could compete with the actual Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) parade in Mexico City, that kicked off the celebration leading up to today, the official date of Día de Muertos.

This is only the third time that a parade like this has been held in Mexico’s capital. It was launched in 2016, and was inspired by a similar parade in the James Bond film Spectre, reports BBC. 

The actual Día de Muertos focuses on gatherings family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died, and help support their spiritual journey.

This year the parade was themed around migration.

The city’s government dedicated the parade to migrants who have lost their lives in transit, at a time when thousands from across Central America are currently travelling in a caravan through the country.

One part of the parade had people carrying parts of a border wall, which said (in Spanish): “On this side there is also a dream.”

Local media reported that 1 200 people took part in the spectacle of colour, costume and music.

The parade acknowledged the region’s past, including Aztec traditions like human sacrifice, and the migration routes of the early inhabitants of Central America.

Significant Mexican cultural figures, including singer Chavela Vargas and artist Frida Kahlo, were also honoured at the event.

A similar parade was also held in the city of Guadalajara, in western Mexico.

Organisers were expecting thousands of spectators at the event, which also had live music, artists and jugglers taking part.

On November 2, it is believed that the dead return to spend time with their living relatives. People celebrate the day in different ways, sometimes leaving offerings of food.

I would say anything that involves a gathering of friends and family, especially where there are a few authentic Mexican beers thrown into the mix, is to be celebrated.

It’s a great way to honour those who died, and this parade is definitely one to add to the bucket list when travelling.

[source:bbc]