Mexico's Largest Memorial Day Honoring the Dead Until the 2nd
Some Areas Impose Restrictions Amid Concerns of Mistaken Identity as Criminals
In northwestern Mexico's Sinaloa state, as well as in Baja California and Sonora, residents have been banned from dressing up during the Day of the Dead period. This is due to a severe deterioration in public safety caused by rampant criminal organizations. On October 31 (local time), foreign media outlets such as The Guardian and El Pais reported that Sinaloa authorities ordered residents not to wear masks or costumes related to Halloween or the Day of the Dead on Halloween night, when the Day of the Dead begins.
Gerardo Merida, Sinaloa's Secretary of Public Security, held a press conference on the 30th and urged residents, "Do not wear masks, carry plastic guns, or paint your faces." He also warned against roaming the streets late at night. Merida emphasized that the purpose of this measure is to prevent people from glamorizing crime and violence. He added, "This order aims to protect those who want to enjoy the Day of the Dead from being mistaken for criminals," quoting a famous Mexican proverb, "At night, all cats are gray." This proverb means that in the dark, everything looks the same.
The Sinaloa region is the stronghold of the large criminal organization known as the 'Sinaloa Cartel.' After one of the cartel's leaders, drug trafficker Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada, was arrested in the United States at the end of July this year, factional conflicts within the organization intensified. Since September, hundreds have died or been killed due to factional fighting. The Mexican federal government has deployed troops to the area to maintain security. Last week, a shootout occurred between the military and individuals suspected of being cartel members, resulting in about ten deaths. Not only Sinaloa but also other Mexican states such as Baja California and Sonora have implemented similar costume bans in recent years.
Meanwhile, from October 31 to November 2, a three-day period known as the Day of the Dead or D?a de los Muertos, Mexico commemorates the deceased. Especially on November 2, the last day of the Day of the Dead, it is considered the most significant day of the year in Mexico. Government offices and schools observe a public holiday, while private companies and banks operate normally but mostly with shortened hours. Banks naturally operate on a normal schedule, and some private companies also work regular hours depending on the company. Because the timing and themes are similar to Halloween, Halloween events are also held together. However, unlike in the United States and Canada, Halloween in Mexico is more of a prelude to the Day of the Dead.
During the Day of the Dead festival, people create skull-shaped decorations, paint their faces like skulls, participate in parades, and set up altars inside their homes with photos of the deceased, skull decorations called Calavera, and orange Mexican marigold petals to honor the dead. The skulls used during the Day of the Dead represent deceased family members and ancestors. However, last year alone, nearly 100 murders occurred across Mexico during this holiday. Therefore, Mexican authorities urge heightened security and special caution for safety on this day.
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