Affordable Mallorca | The Day of the Dead, Mallorca-Style

The life of the dead is placed in the memory of the living. ~ Cicero

With roots in Mexican tradition and origins in Mesoamerican cultures, Day of the Dead, or Dia de los Muertos, is also celebrated here on Mallorca, albeit in a bit different way than their Latin American cousins.

The Spanish Way #

Evidence of Christianity on Mallorca dates back…WAAAAY back… to as early as the 4^th century AD, so it’s only fitting that the European version of Day of the Dead has a unique and singular flair.

Day of the Dead here is not so much a day, but a three day extravaganza incorporating three very different things, some passed down from pagan customs, some purely Christian. Halloween (Dia de las Brujas), All Saint’s Day (Dia de Todos los Santo, Dia de los Difuntos or Dia de los Muertos) and All Soul’s Day (Dia de Todos los Almas), which is not as commonly feted on the island.

Halloween (October, 31^st) #

Halloween, otherwise known as All Hallow’s Eve, is the spinoff of an ancient Celtic holiday, Samhain, that celebrated the end of summer. The Celts would build bonfires to burn off whatever crops hadn’t been harvested and sacrifice animals to their gods. They believed the wall between the world of the living and that of the dead was at its thinnest on this night, and without taking these measures, ghosts would return and destroy their crops. The Christians ran with this concept, knowing that old habits and beliefs die hard, but instead made the day about praying for those whose souls had not yet made it to heaven.

On Mallorca, this Christian version was celebrated for hundreds of years alongside the more interesting Day of the Witches. Only recently, when the Americanised version of Halloween hit these shores, it turned from a kids-only event into the all-out fancy dress fest we know and love today, though many traditional elements remain.

All Saint's Day (November 1st) #

All Saint’s Day was originally the day where many Christian people celebrated all the saints, particularly those who had no special Feast Day of their own. On this day, people visit the cemetery where the bright flowers, plants and rosaries decorate the mausoleums. You are welcome to walk around and look at the photos and memorabilia that decorate the burial chamber of the deceased.

Here, the people welcome the return of their departed friends and family for a once-yearly blow-out party, albeit in rather unusual locations. They camp out in graveyards with picnics and adorn the graves of deceased loved ones with mountains of colorful flowers and candles, then attend a special mass in memory of those who passed before. More flowers are sold on this day than any other day of the year including Valentine’s Day. People also honor their own personal patron saint on this day.

Since I was a child, my grandmother took me every year to the cemetery on November 1st to clean and decorate with flowers the family graves. So did every family in town, all over the Island and Spain. - Catalina

Day of the Dead (November, 1^st) #

All Saint’s Day was originally the day where many Christian people celebrated all the saints, particularly those who had no special feast day of their own.

In today’s more secular Mallorcan society, it is for many the hangover after the party and a national public holiday. But the strong tradition of what is known here as Day of the Dead is deeply entrenched, and it is celebrated in a far more jovial way.

Here, the people welcome the return of their departed friends and family for a once-yearly blow-out party, albeit in rather unusual locations. They camp out in graveyards with picnics and adorn the graves of deceased loved ones with mountains of colourful flowers and candles, then attend a special mass in memory of those who passed before. More flowers are sold on this day than any other day of the year including Valentine’s Day. People also honour their own personal patron saint on this day.

In addition, it is tradition to perform the play Don Juan Tenorio on or around this day. A cautionary tale written in 1844 by José Zorilla, it is the story of a man who kills the father of a maiden he deflowered and then runs away. When he reappears years later, he finds a statue of the murdered man in the local cemetery and the unrepentant Don Juan cheekily invites the statue to dine. To his surprise and horror, the statue leans over and shakes his hand, whereby the killer is whisked off to hell. The story blends the morality of the Christian values with the supernatural views of the pagans, making it both a lesson and a delight.

As no party, even a more sombre one, is a party without food, so the people of Mallorca have things they enjoy on this day. Roasted chestnuts, almond cakes called pannellets, buñuelos made with sweet potato, eggs, flour, butter and yeast, and marzipan treats called huesos de santos or saint’s bones are all delicacies shared during this period.

The Book of the Dead is a hold-over from Egyptians (2670 BCE) who believed if one's name was inscribed that one would curry favor with the Gods. The Original Book of the Dead contains spells and incantations that would enable the soul of the deceased to navigate to the Afterlife. Because it was never codified, no two copies were ever the same.

In addition, it is tradition to perform the play Don Juan Tenorio on or around this day. A cautionary tale written in 1844 by José Zorilla, it is the story of a man who kills the father of a maiden he deflowered and then runs away. When he reappears years later, he finds a statue of the murdered man in the local cemetery and the unrepentant Don Juan cheekily invites the statue to dine. To his surprise and horror, the statue leans over and shakes his hand, whereby the killer is whisked off to hell. The story blends the morality of the Christian values with the supernatural views of the pagans, making it both a lesson and a delight. Below is a video of the play.

As no party, even a more sombre one, is a party without food, so the people of Mallorca have things they enjoy on this day. Food is always used as an offering, even when the traditions are forgotten. On El Dia de los Muertos, the food is always sweet. Roasted chestnuts, almond cakes called pannellets, buñuelos made with sweet potato, eggs, flour, butter and yeast, and marzipan treats called huesos de santos or "saint’s bones" are all delicacies shared during this period.

Every village bakery will have these sweets. If you know someone who has lost a loved one this year, then purchase a dozen of each and gift the family. Small acts of kindness like this go a long way in forming last relationships. Whether you are visiting the island, renting or own a home, honoring family is simply the right thing to do this time of year. Reverence for life and death is best shared with sweets.

And In Conclusion #

Now that you know what the locals do, be part of it! If you spot your neighbour preparing picnics or coming home with flowers, take the cue and offer a bouquet to them to take. It’ll give them a whole new perspective on you as a person (you’ll be that lovely, considerate neighbour!) and give you a family of your own here to look after.

It can also be a yearly reminder to think of those we’ve loved and lost. Maybe you’re not prepared to completely go native but lighting a candle or two and reminiscing about good times with loved ones is always time well spent.

There you have it… all there is to know about Day of the Dead, Mallorca-style! Whether you have lived here your whole life, or only been here two seconds, it’s a special day of family and remembrance to be celebrated by all!