23 Sep Día de los Muertos in Panama
By Natalie Warner
Although it is still over a month away, Halloween seems to slowly be a topic of conversation on social media. Yes, it’s the time for people to dress up and stock up on all those delightful candies in preparation for trick-or-treaters…or maybe to help cure their own sugar cravings; I won’t judge. While most of North America gets Halloween, Panama and many Latin American countries get Día de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead.
Día de los Muertos is typically celebrated on November 2. This day is meant to celebrate and honor the dead. Despite what many unfamiliar with the holiday may think, this day is typically not somber. Día de los Muertos is a combination of two cultural celebrations. The Aztecs had their own version of the day, which included a month long celebration dedicated to the death-goddess and keeper of bones in the underworld, Mictecacihuatl. Later, as Catholicisim spread, aspects of All Saints Day and All Souls Day were integrated.
Each country seems to have its own take on the holiday. Mexico’s celebration of the day seems to outdo many other countries. The celebration in Mexico can last multiple days with particular days meant for particular people. November 1 in Mexico is dedicated to honor children and infants, and it is known as Día de los Inocentes (Day of the Innocents). November 2 is the celebration for adults and is what is traditionally known as Día de los Muertos.
Día de los Muertos in Tlacotepec, Mexico. Source.
Panama’s celebration of the holiday is a lot more subdued. Cemeteries are busy with visiting family members paying tribute to their deceased loved ones. Family members often bring flowers along with other adornments and clean their loved ones’ graves. While this is only a one-day celebration in Panama (possibly because November 3 is Panama’s Separation from Colombia Day), this day holds a lot of significance for many Panamanians as a way of honoring the dead.
The Amador Cemetery, located in the El Chorillo neighborhood of Panama City, is where most of the official government celebrations take place. This cemetery has some of the oldest graves in Panama. Victoriano Lorenzo is buried at this cemetery. Lorenzo, who is recognized as a national hero, took part in Panama’s separation from Colombia.
Victoriono Lorenzo grave at the Amador Cemetery in Panama City. Source.
Band playing at Amador Cemetery for Día de los Muertos. Source.
Despite not being a national holiday, many government offices are closed in the afternoon. Expect many private companies to be closed and heavy traffic around cemeteries. This is a dry holiday in Panama; stores and restaurants cannot sell alcohol. Aisles containing alcohol in supermarkets are typically taped off. Loud music is also prohibited. These restrictions are placed as a sign of respect to the dead. Expect the Coronado/beaches area to be busy due to the holidays. Do your grocery shopping early and expect restaurants and stores to be busy. This is also a great time to explore new parts of Panama and learn about its traditions.
Have you experienced Día de los Muertos? What was it like?