A Mayan man kneels during a ritual at the Chichicastenango Cemetery
Dia de los Muertos or The Day of the Dead (Nov. 1) is celebrated in Guatemala to remember, honor, and even worship the spirits of the dead. Even as I write this, I can hear the explosions of fireworks that have been rocking the air since about 5 this morning.
In local cemeteries across Latin America, families have been cleaning, painting and preparing the tombs for this annual celebration. Sadly, the tradition of fixing up the graves is not limited to simply remembering family heritage. In the cemeteries you’ll see men performing Mayan rituals, families leaving food for the spirits beside the lavishly painted tombs.
At a local evangelical service on Sunday the pastor shared about the real significance of “Halloween” and el Dia de los Muertos challenging his congregation to avoid being part of the worship of spirits.
Please pray that the people of Guatemala will have their eyes opened to the truth so they can follow the Holy Spirit and know Christ as the one way to relationship with God.
Here’s a story one of our fellow missionaries shared about a Mayan witch who came to know the Lord through ASELSI’s outreaches. Praise the Lord! This is exactly the type of thing we’re here for!
Click on photos below to see larger versions.
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- Local women head into the Chichicastenango General Cemetery with flowers to place on graves in preparation for the Dia De Los Muertos. In the background other women paint a tomb.
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- A family leaves the Chichicastenango Cemetery together.
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- An elaborately decorated tomb freshly painted for the Day of the Dead
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- Food and drink left for the spirits at a tomb in Chichicastenango
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- A Mayan man prepares an elaborate miniature pyre for burning in the Chichicastenango Cemetery
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- A Mayan man kneels during a ritual at the Chichicastenango Cemetery
