On his day, I prepare for my late husband Ramiro his favorite dish. Thanks.

My sister and I bring flowers to our grandmother’s grave on her birthdays. This time we went at the cemetery at night, and got there with the moonlight. We met some skeletons over there. They left their graves to get drunk. They met us with great joy and wanted to dance with us. We were scared and prayed the Virgin of Zapopan. She helped us to escape from the dead so they didn’t chase us. We thank for that.

Señora Alicia Vasquez used to have a dream about her late husband’s skeleton who came back from the dead and licked her feet. She thanks Saint Elias with the present retablo for delivering her from these nightmares.

My father wasn’t very glad that I had a boyfriend, so Antonio and I had to meet secretly. One night we were at the cemetery where no one could see us. We were sitting on a grave and talking when we heard a music. We saw the dead leaving their graves and having a party. They played instruments and danced. We were very much frightened. We thank the Virgin of Guadalupe for we could escape and the skeletons didn’t see us.

1915, in the town of Guejosingo, the soul of my buddy appeared to me. He didn’t stop flirting with me so he chased me. I thank Saint Bruno for protecting me so I didn’t suffer any harm.

Rosa M.

In the outskirts of Zacatlan, Macario Barrales met an unrest soul. He prayed the Holy Child of Atocha for protection, and the dead didn’t do him any harm. He thanks for that with the retablo.

1920

I went to the cemetery to pass some drinks. I didn’t remember that it was November 1. At the midnight I heard strange noises, so I climbed a tree and from over there I saw the dead who began chatting with each other. I thank the Virgin of Guadalupe for they didn’t see me. At the dawn they disappeared, and I could get down.

I thank the Virgin of Guadalupe for the miracle of delivering me from this horrible nightmares I used to have when I was being raped by a skeleton. After I’ve prayed with all my heart to the Holy Virgin of Guadalupe, I sleep well now.

Señorita Carmen Reyna B.
Chimaltenango, 1961

The gravedigger Ambrosio Ruiz was digging graves at night when he saw two skeletons who were dancing. He thanks Saint Jude Thaddeus with this retablo for they were only having fun and didn’t attack him.

*** Vargas and his wife Evarista Ramirez almost turned their toes up when their friend Macarias put on a skeleton outfit, got in the mask shop and yelled at them.

Guanajuato, June 24, 1938

The night of November 2, I was taking care of some tomes at the cemetery. I received a great shock when I saw with my own eyes a dead man who opened his casket and was ready to get out of it. I prayed the Lord of Chalma for protection and could escape safely. Next time I’m offered a job at the cemetery, I’d rather refuse.

Aquilino Morales
Guanajuato, 1947

The gravedigger Agustin Fernandez was at the cemetery and suddenly a skeleton appeared to him and forced him to dance. He thanks Saint Augustine for the skeleton didn’t take him and he’s already recovered after the shock.

The Day of the Dead, Gudelia Sambrano met a ghost who chased her. She prayed the Lord of the Wonders and now offers him a retablo thanking him for she got home safe and sound.

Zacatlan, 1925