Posted: Saturday, November 1, 2025. 9:10 am CST.
By Zoila Palma: Across Belize, families are once again observing Día de los Finados, or the Day of the Dead, a cherished tradition deeply rooted in the country’s Maya-Mestizo heritage.
The celebration blends Indigenous customs with Catholic beliefs, creating a meaningful way to honor the lives of loved ones who have passed on.
The observance begins on November 1, known as Día de los Angelitos — the Day of the Little Angels or All Saints’ Day — which honors children who have died.
On this day, families prepare altars adorned with candy, sweet bread, biscuits, and other treats, symbolizing the innocence and joy of departed children.
The following day, November 2, marks Día de los Muertos — the Day of the Dead or All Souls’ Day — dedicated to deceased adults.
Families arrange tables or altars filled with their loved ones’ favorite foods, drinks, and traditional items, including the maize-based beverage ix’pasha.
According to tradition, the spirits of the dead are believed to draw nourishment from the rising steam of these offerings, while prayers for the departed continue for nine days.
On November 9, candles are often placed along roadsides to guide the souls back to the cemetery, marking the end of the commemoration period. In many communities, the observance concludes with a special Catholic Mass and a solemn procession to the cemetery, where families decorate graves with flowers, wreaths, food, and drinks, offering prayers and remembrance.
The Día de los Finados remains a powerful expression of love, faith, and cultural continuity — a time when Belizeans reflect on the lives of their ancestors and reaffirm the spiritual bond that connects the living with the departed.
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The post Día de los Finados: Honoring the departed in Belize appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
Posted: Saturday, November 1, 2025. 9:10 am CST. By Zoila Palma: Across Belize, families are once again observing Día de los Finados, or the Day of
The post Día de los Finados: Honoring the departed in Belize appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
