We came to explore Villa de Zaachila’s archeological site, but afterwards strolling through the village found a street of murals surrounding the village cemetery.
While many of the murals may be painted by community members; this artist has woven influences of surrealism into their depiction of life, death, and memory. The street of murals leads to the cemetery gate, which is decorated with painted cempasuchil, flowers resembling marigolds and used during Day of the Dead. In many communities, the strongly fragment petals of cempasuchil decorate the graves during El Dia de Los Muertos, which guide the souls of the dead back to earth for this annual day of remembrance.
Many of the murals depict the deceased enjoying the ordinary pleasures of the living: visiting with family, grinding corn for tortillas, drinking tejate, and the comfort of their faith.
The cemetery is filled with lovingly crafted memorials, some with handwritten names and proclamations. Relatives of the deceased frequently clean and decorate the individual graves.
Life & Art 