In Otavalo, there are two cemeteries. One is for mestizos, people of mixed European and Andean ancestry. The other is for families with native ties going back generations. In the former, visits to graves are very formal and somber. But in the indigenous cemetery, families keep more tied traditions. In general, the indigenous cemetery (Samasunchic) is quite basic – mainly plain white crosses or small graves with the names painted or scratched on. The cemetery has no trails. People usually walk over the graves to visit their deceased relatives.
Mondays and Thursdays are the traditional days to visit the dead. In addition to November 2nd considered the international day of the dead. On the day of the dead, the natives have the rite of sharing food with the deceased next to or on the graves. That day, groups of Otavaleños arrive at the cemetery, located at the top of the street of souls “Calle de las Almas”, to share meals, songs, tears and prayers with relatives who have moved to the next dimension.
As mentioned, usually indigenous people, go to the cemetery to perform worship through offerings, sacred songs and prayers to their family and deceased. To commemorate the memory of the faithful deceased, the indigenous prepare different foods, especially the preferred dish of the deceased and offer it at the cemetery in the early morning hours. Street vendors do a good business selling flowers, food, and drinks.
