November 3, 2024, 7:44 AM
November 3, 2024, 7:44 AM
“A quiet day” was the description that the municipal authorities of Santa Cruz de la Sierra gave to Saturday, when the ‘Day of the Faithful Dead’ was celebrated, according to Catholic tradition.
A persistent drizzle that fell on the capital of Santa Cruz since the early hours of the morning did not prevent families from honoring their loved ones in the 26 municipal cemeteries and an almost similar number between private and clandestine cemeteries. The day was marked by strict control of the Municipal Government and its units, especially to enforce prohibitions on the consumption of alcoholic beverages, street vendors and musical groups within cemeteries.
Unlike previous years, the price of natural flowers, which mainly come from Cochabamba, forced many people to look for alternatives in flowers made of fabric or plastic. The blockades in that department, which have been going on for 21 days, forced some merchants to transport them by plane, which increased the cost for the final buyer; Large lilies – the most sought after – could be bought from Bs 120 for a bundle of 10 units, while an ‘artificial’ bouquet ranged between Bs 10 and 15.
Controls
Sebastián Gutiérrez, director of the Deconcentrated Operational Unit of Municipal Cemeteries, indicated that the commune displaced about 700 officials from different units in municipal cemeteries, supported by the Bolivian Police and the Traffic Unit.
“We are carrying out the corresponding patrols inside and outside the municipal cemeteries, precisely ensuring the safety of all neighbors. We will be with the doors open in all municipal cemeteries, until 10 at night. After that, we will proceed with the closure and tomorrow (today) with the cleaning,” he explained.
In the morning, Mayor Jhonny Fernández led the ‘All Saints’ operation from the General Cemetery, ensuring that citizens pay tribute to their loved ones in an environment of peace and security.
A tradition that transforms with time and cultural influence
According to tradition, the ‘Day of the Dead’ or ‘The Faithful Departed’ is celebrated from midday on November 1st and ends on November 2nd. In eastern Bolivia The family gathering around the tombs is traditional and offer flowers, candles, prayers and renew the photograph of the deceased.
However, traditions from the valleys of Santa Cruz and the Andean region have influenced the inclusion of food, alcoholic beverages and music. One of the favorite foods is baked goods with anthropomorphic figures, known as ‘tantawawas’ or ‘tantawawa bread’, a combination of two Aymara words: tanta, which means bread, and wawa, baby.
According to tradition, the soul of the deceased “comes down” to join the family and “eats” what it liked the most. The bread is given to the person who prays, who are usually children, who even “cry” to him in exchange for coins.
