ARCHIVE >: Day of the Dead
In the Oaxaca region of Mexico, Day of the Dead is a widely celebrated holiday. The holiday, intended to be a celebration of ancestors, often lies strangely somewhere in between a festive, carnival atmosphere and a somber religious holiday. Traditions vary widely from town to town and between different families. Some towns mainly celebrate the holiday at the graveyard, often decorating the graves of loved ones with flowers and candles. Other towns hold comparsas where a parade of costumed dancers make their way through the streets, often fueled by alcohol and stopping at homes to celebrate along the way.