In Ecuador the holiday is interpreted as a day to “catch up” with the ones who are no longer with us but have a life in a different world. People pack lunches of traditional food, flowers and offerings and head for the cemeteries where they spend the day as a family talking, eating and performing routine maintenance on the grave site.
The staple food of the season is the famous Colada Morada, a thick purple drink. This drink is made from black corn flour, blueberries, blackberries, cinnamon and pineapple among other ingredients that are cooked together and served hot or cold along with the sweetened bread. (see Bread-making)
The photos are from the indigenous cemetery that I visited in Cotacachi on November 2nd. Every grave was decorated with fresh flowers and the indigenous people sat on the grave sites sharing food and conversation with their families and friends. Another lovely experience shared with me by the sweet indigenous people.
– Micky
