Jamaica Market - The Day of the Dead

I would dare say that Jamaica Market is probably the best place in Mexico City to buy things for the Day of the Dead, whether it be decorations or items for setting up an "ofrenda" in your home.

I never knew that piñatas for Day of the Dead or for Halloween had become a thing, but apparently, they have.  Beside the market building is a tent where they sell piñatas at Christmas time.  Now it is filled with specialty piñatas for this season of the year.

 As I mentioned before, the gringo influence of Halloween has led to the cottage industry in several towns of making pottery jack-o'-lanterns.

These papier mache skeletons rest against a pile of squash, a variety similar to our pumpkins.

 There is a multitude of "catrinas", the elegantly dressed lady skeletons, and the occasional "catrín", their male counterpart.

There are also skulls of different sizes and made of different materials.

Sugar skulls (some are also made of chocolate) are a popular treat at this time of year.  Nowadays photographs of departed loved ones are placed on the Day of the Dead altar.  But before photography was available, the sugar skulls would be placed on the "ofrenda" with the names of the deceased written on them.

A set of figurines representing the characters from the movie "Coco"

Skeletal dog figures

It was believed that dogs guided the souls of the dead to the afterlife.

Banners of "papel picado" (cut paper) are traditional for all holiday celebrations, but they are especially popular for the Day of the Dead.

The banners blow in the wind and thus signify the movement of souls.  They also represent the fragility of like.

 

Miniature coffins and graves

Incense and incense burners

Incense is burned to guide the souls of the departed back to their homes.

I made several purchases at the market for my "ofrenda".  I will set it up next week and show you photos of it.