Day of the Dead, Atzompa, Oaxaca
Day of the Dead,  Atzompa, November Celebration In the Village of
Atzompa, Oaxaca, Mexico  
The Day of the Dead celebration in Atzompa
will include live bands that will play at the
cemetery.
The Day of the Dead Festival is one of Oaxaca's
most important celebrations, rivaling only
Easter and Christmas in importance.
On the three day November Day of the Dead
holiday, family members return to their home
village to join in the preparation of the graveyards
and tombs for the return of the spirits.  In
Atzompa,a village of ceramic artists and
ceramic production workshops, pottery will be
part of the tomb decorations.
Marigold flowers play an important role in
decorating the tombs at Atzompa along with
candles.
A visit to the Atzompa cemetery
near Oaxaca City on the last night
of October can be a magical time
because of the thousands of large
white candles, and like the other
village cemeteries, the pungent
scent of marigold flowers, and the
essence of burning copal incense.  
Atzompa is different, however, in
that the music played from a stage
will include salsa music and other
lively modern music.  
Atzompa, like all the villages,
celebrates in its own unique way.  
Atzompa is unusual in that its
cemetery vigil will include modern
music and that the cemetery visit
last until daylight.
Flowers decorate the home altars and tombs. Marigold is the flower with a
special meaning that goes back to pre-Hispanic times. The marigold is called the
Fleur de Meurto, the flower of death, and often a trail of marigold petals will point
the way for the wandering spirit.  In the evening the family sits by the tomb and
light thousands of candles that they hope will guide the returning spirits.
The Village of Atzompa in Oaxaca Mexico
celebrates its day of the Dead on the last night of
October.  The people of Atzompa make their
cemetery visit late in the night and stay until
morning.
By 11 pm the cemetery starts to fill with
candlelight and the aroma of copal incense mixed
with the scent of marigold flowers.   
Atzompa Cemetery  Celebration In
Oaxaca, Mexico continues until
Sunrise
Atzompa is a town of ceramic artists and artisans, the Cemetery  Celebration will involve pottery and
large white candles as decorations at the graves.  The people of Atzompa will stay at the cemetery until
sunrise
Atzompa will include live bands that will play
at the cemetery. The people of Atzompa will
have a traditional meal and then go to the
cemetery late in the evening of October 31
for the all night vigil  of  Day of the Dead
Families will build a home altar and leave
offerings for the spirits that include all the
virtues and vices that the departed might
have enjoyed in life.
At around 11 in the evening the people of
Atzompa will go to the cemetery and clean
and prepare the graves. They will  leave
offerings along with flowers and candles to
guide the spirits on their return.
Atzompa is at the foot of the ancient stone
city of Monte Alban and has long been a
village of ceramic manufacture.
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Oaxaca Day of the Dead Schedule of Cemetery Visits in the Oaxaca City Area

October, 31
Xoxocotlan. This town a few miles southwest of Oaxaca City  has two Cemeteries, Cementario Viejo, and
the new Cementario Nuevo.  Reach Xoxocotlon by public bus, taxi, collective, tour bus.
October 31, the village of Atzompa holds a later cemetery vigil starting around 11 pm and continuing until
dawn.

Day of the Dead November 1,
Oaxaca City Cemetery, Panteon General on the east side of the city.  Regional offering tables displayed
Tlaixtac de Cabrera, six miles south east of Oaxaca City

San Felipe del Agua, north of Oaxaca City November 2
Village of San Antonino Castillo Velasco  A flower growing village that celebrates as much as a week
after the other villages hold their Day of the Dead celebration.
The Day of the Dead celebration in the Village of Atzompa starts at 11 pm and lasts all night.
The November Celebration In the Village of Atzompa, near the City of Oaxaca is accompanied
by bands and festive music.  
Day of the Dead,  Atzompa Cemetery, November
Celebration In the Village of Atzompa, Oaxaca,
Candle for Lorraine's friend Susan
The Day of the Dead Celebration at  the  
Atzompa Cemetery, starts the evening of
October 31   Celebration In the Village of
Atzompa, Oaxaca,
November 2010
Candle for Susan
Day of the Dead,  
Atzompa Cemetery,
November
Celebration In the
Village of Atzompa,
Oaxaca,
To Reach Atzompa:
The best bet is by Taxi from Oaxaca City.  Arrange with the
driver for a pick up at the time of your intended return.  
Otherwise inquire at tour offices about transportation
Reach the Cemeteries:  The Day of the Dead Cemetery visit transportation is available from
Oaxaca city by bus, taxi, or car.  Cemetery visits occur on October 31, November 1 and Nov.
2nd.  
First time visitors are best off with one of the many Oaxaca Tour Agencies such as Borroco
Tours located on Garcia Vigil  (street)  They arrange small or large group van tours for visitors
to the villages.  They guide you in the cemetery, help you make photos, and provide local
information about the event.
Otherwise the best option is taxi or collective taxi.  Arrange for your return or determine the
loading place at the village when you arrive.  It could be difficult to find later in the evening.