Dia de los Muertos in Sayulita: An Interview with Belen Sandaval Navarro

Dia de los Muertos is right around the corner and to celebrate the holiday, Festival Dia de los Muertos will be taking place on Tuesday, November 1st and Wednesday, November 2nd in Sayulita. Belen Sandaval Navarro, one of the founders of this festival, tells El Sayulero more about the upcoming festivities, the significance of Dia de los Muertos, and much more. 

How did the Dia de Los Muertos festival in Sayulita originally come about? 

A group of people, which included Coyul, Bety Ramos, Godoy, Sandra, Arturo, Marlo, Nydia Adela, Hugo, and myself, who had similar ideas got together. We all had the same goal of sharing with others who we are as Mexicans and our customs. So, the first year, we started with 13 altars around the plaza, 5 piñatas, and cakes, pies, and pan de muertos (bread of the dead- it represents generosity for the deceased and you put it on the altars). 

What festivities will be taking place in Sayulita for the Dia de los Muertos festival? 

On Monday, October 31st, people will be putting up the altars in the plaza. Then on Tuesday, November 1st, the festivities will start at 5pm in the plaza. There will be live music and shows on the stage. At midnight, the cemetery procession will begin from the plaza and there will be live music in the cemetery. On Wednesday, November 2nd, from 10am until 2pm there will be workshops for the kids in the plaza (dancing, painting skulls, etc.) There will also be live music and shows again, starting at 5pm. 

The procession to the cemetery is really an amazing experience. Will you share more about gathering in the cemetery? 

We go to visit the dead in the cemetery and bring them music, presents, and candles. The families that have relatives buried there take their lunch or dinner and spend the day there, eating and sharing the day with their deceased loved ones. 

Where can one find the schedule of events?

It will be posted last minute because so many people are still signing up to participate in the festivities. It will be on the Festival Dia de los Muertos Facebook Page. 

What does Dia de los Muertos mean to you?  

It’s the most wonderful day of the year because I get to be with the people I love. 

What is the significance of the altars? 

They are offerings for the people that have passed away - it helps the dead to come find their way here. It calls them because it’s all the things they used to like. Of course they won’t physically eat or drink the offerings, but they will extract the aroma of it.

How would you describe a typical altar?

Altars include food, drinks, and clothing (personal objects) that the deceased liked when they were alive. They generally have a glass of water (to drink because they’ll be tired), photos of the deceased, crosses made of chalk, candles, and flor de cempazuchitl (marigold flowers). They also have papel de picado (paper that has elaborate designs cut into them), which is the medium that connects the living and the dead and is the symbol of union. It’s why all the altars have it. The spirit of the dead comes from above, goes through the holes, and comes down. The altars for the deceased children also have sugar skulls (made of sugar or chocolate) because they are sweet and it calls them. 

How has the celebration of Dia de Los Muertos in Sayulita changed over the years? 

It has changed a lot in every aspect and the celebration has grown a lot. This year we are hanging up more papel de picado than ever before — 1.3 km!

What is your favorite part of the Dia de los Muertos Festival? 

The walk to the cemetery at night.