Abstract

VAZQUEZ MANTECON, María del Carmen. November 1 st and 2 nd in Mexico City, 1750-1900. Estud. hist. mod. contemp. Mex [online]. 2015, n.49, pp.1-18. ISSN 0185-2620.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ehmcm.2015.05.001.

The Mexican calendar of festivities commemorates, as elsewhere in the Catholic World, All Saints and the Day of the Dead on November 1st and 2nd. This article recounts the details of these days in a larger period of its modern, cultural history, allowing the corroboration of the origins and permanencies of customs and traditions that refashioned both festivities in Mexico City. Both days were thus experienced as festivities divided into several acts, which included special solemnities as well as shared entertainment, and in which all social sectors participated in spite of their profound contrasts. It is also possible to observe the endurance of these characteristics in our days, basically associated with diverse attitudes towards death, its rites, and main symbols.

Keywords : All Saints; Day of the Dead; Relics; Commemoration; Festival Celebration; Customs; Traditions; Cemetery; Offerings; Amusements; Feelings; Emotions.