The celebration of Día de los Difuntos in many Latin American countries originates from pre-Hispanic cultures such as the Maya and Aztecs, but with the arrival of the Spaniards, a syncretism occurred in religious traditions, blending pre-Hispanic elements with those of Catholic religion.
The Day of the Deceased in Peru
For ancient civilizations that inhabited Peru, just like the Incas, death was not the end of life; rather, it was the beginning of a journey through the world of the dead.
Therefore, family and friends of the deceased felt obliged to accompany them with rites and ceremonies to ensure they reached their final destination.
Nowadays, in many regions of Peru, it is customary to visit cemeteries to clean the niches and bring food, drinks, and flowers on November 2nd; music and dances disturb the peace of the cemeteries on that day.
Special Preparations
In the days before, special breads are prepared, carefully placed in paper bags called Wawas or guaguas; these are bread or cake figures made with wheat flour, yeast, essence, clove, and cinnamon, shaped like children, animals, or other forms; decorated with jellies, raisins, and anise.
Wawas are painted with different natural colors, such as green from alfalfa; purple from beetroot, and yellow from carrots. The breads are blessed, and in some areas, they are exchanged among family members to be placed on altars, which are traditionally prepared in the homes of the deceased.
