Day of Dead in Oaxaca

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

• 1
  Oaxaca

  **Visit to the Marigold Field (Cempasúchil)** This visit to the *cempasúchil* (marigold) flower field offers a professional perspective on the ethnobotany and profound ritual symbolism of the "Flower of the Dead." We will analyse its cultivation, its ceremonial use in the Day of the Dead *ofrendas* (altars), and its role as the "path" that guides ancestors. An opportunity to understand the tangible link between the land, material culture, and the worldview of one of Mexico's most iconic celebrations.

  1 hour • Admission ticket free
• 2

  We will visit the market in Santa María Atzompa to purchase items for our altar and ingredients for the food offerings for our loved ones.

  1 hour • Admission ticket included
• 3
  Oaxaca

  **Visit to the Bakery** We'll analyse the history of the ***pan de muerto*** (bread of the dead), exploring its pre-Hispanic origin and its evolution into a central element of the Day of the Dead *ofrendas* (altars). This bakery session isn't just a tasting; it's an analysis of the ritual symbolism and material culture that defines Mexico's relationship with memory and life.

  30 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 4

  This experience focuses on the preparation of the season's ritual foods (mole, *atole*, rice, and *tamales*), which are essential for the Day of the Dead table and *ofrenda* (offering). Using a professional approach, we will explore the ritual symbolism of each ingredient and technique, understanding how these recipes represent Mexico's heritage, *mestizaje* (cultural mixing), and profound gastronomic tradition. This is an opportunity to master the culinary practice and comprehend the material culture and corpus of knowledge transmitted through food.

  2 hours • Admission ticket free
• 5

  This session will guide you through the preparation and decoration of the Altar of the Dead (*Altar de Muertos*), step by step. We shall analyse the ritual symbolism and material culture behind every level, element, and object placed: from the use of the *cempasúchil* flower and the *pan de muerto* (bread of the dead), to the arrangement of photographs and favourite foods. Gain a deep understanding of this Mexican tradition as a complex belief system and a tangible offering to memory. A professional perspective to unravel the authentic meaning of the celebration.

  1 hour • Admission ticket free
• 6

  This lunchtime goes beyond mere tasting: it's an analysis of the **material culture** that converges in fundamental dishes such as *tamales*, *mole*, and rice with chicken, hot chocolate, and seasonal bread. We'll explore the **ritual symbolism** and heritage of each ingredient, understanding how this selection of foods forms a **corpus of knowledge** and a pillar of gastronomic tradition. A professional session to comprehend the historical and emotional significance of the flavours that define ancestral cuisine and community life in Mexico.

  1 hour • Admission ticket free
• 7
  Oaxaca

  Access a participatory cultural immersion through the material culture and traditional Mexican art. This **Death Mask Creation Workshop** offers the specialised advice and materials needed for you to get involved in creating a ritual piece. The session will focus on the **ritual symbolism** and **artisanal practice** behind the representations of death. We will analyse the use of colour and form in mask painting to understand the community and ancestral vision of 'otherness'. A professional experience to decipher the **corpus of aesthetic and symbolic knowledge** that defines Mexican folklore and tradition. Materials and expert guidance are included.

  3 hours • Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

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