Coming back home. Day of the Dead in Oaxaca, México

I´m sharing my most recent audio-slide show about The Day of the Dead tradition en Oaxaca, Mexico. This celebration mixes ancient Pre-Hispanic traditions with the European tradition of the Catholic All Souls Day.

Every year Oaxacans decorate their cemeteries with flowers and candles. They create bountiful altars filled with food and drink, for their loved ones who have passed who return home on this special day for a visit.

To see the audio-slide show visit this link: www.chicosanchez.com/comingbackhome

(Photo ©Chico Sanchez-All Rights Reserved)

I interviewed Jose Hernandez Alaves, a candle maker in the town of Teotitlan del Valle. The music bands are ¨Los Reformistas¨ from Teotitlan del Valle and ¨Oro de Oaxaca¨ from
San Jeronimo Tlacochahuaya. The last song was recorded from a band playing a funeral song during an actual funeral process that I witnessed at the cemetery in Santa Ana Zegache.

This audiovisual also includes the following places:  Mitla, San Martin Tilcajete, San Sebastian Abasolo, Santa Maria del Tule and Oaxaca de Juarez.

Roots Project - Portraits by Nikhol Esterás

Portraits of rural Oaxacan elders between the ages of 68 and 94, is part of the Roots Project (Proyecto Raices) by Nikhol Esterás Roberts. This photographer's work has been published by Matador Network, an travel site.

Esteras Roberts' images shows us the story of elderly people living in poverty by showing us their face and hands. Today our society disrespects elderly citizens by marginalizing them and leaving them to live alone in poverty. This images shine light on their dignity. To see the pictures click here.

(Photo © Nikhol Esterás - All Rights Reserved)

For more about this photographer please visit her website: nikholesterasphotography.com

The Guelaguetza of Oaxaca. A deep friendship.

An audio-slide show about the Guelaguetza in Oaxaca, Mexico. As part of the celebrations in honor of the Virgin of Carmen, residents from Oaxaca state's eight regions travel every year to the capital to offer traditional dances, while the residents from Carmen Alto and Carmen Bajo neighborhoods participate in banquets, offerings and processions throughout the city. 

To visit the audio-slide show enter this link: www.chicosanchez.com/theguelaguetza

(Photo ©Chico Sanchez -All Rights Reserved)

I have other two audio-slide shows from Oaxaca. The first co-produced with Texan photographer Leslie Mazoch on Oaxacan Holy Week. Click here. The second one is about the blessing of animals celebration at a Catholic church. Click here.

To see more of my photographic work, visit my website: www.chicosanchez.com

My picture archive is licensed by Aurora Photos and Alamy