San Cristóbal de las Casas is a city located in the highlands of Chiapas, Mexico, and is known for its rich cultural heritage and its colorful celebrations, especially the Day of the Dead.
This ancient Mesoamerican tradition is celebrated throughout Mexico, and in San Cristóbal, it takes on a particularly unique form. One of the most striking features of the Day of the Dead celebrations in San Cristóbal is the practice of placing wooden doors over the graves of loved ones. The doors are meant to symbolize the passage between life and death, and it is believed that the dead return to visit their living relatives during this time. The families’ open the doors to have celebration and dinner with their departed one.
In addition to the doors over graves, another unique feature of the Day of the Dead celebrations in San Cristóbal is the use of blue crosses. The crosses are made of wood and are painted a bright shade of blue, which is meant to represent the sky. They are often adorned with flowers and candles, and they serve as a way for the living to honor their departed loved ones. They are sky anchors holding this world with the after world.
For those looking to learn more about the culture and traditions of San Cristóbal, a visit to the Na Bolom Museum is a must.
This museum was founded by archaeologist Frans Blom and his wife, photographer Gertrude Duby Blom, and it is dedicated to preserving the cultural heritage of the Lacandón people, an indigenous group that still lives in the region. In addition to the museum’s exhibits, visitors can also enjoy a meal at the on-site restaurant, which serves traditional Lacandón cuisine and provides a unique opportunity to experience the local culture firsthand.