Honoring the Dead: Los Finados in Belize

As October wraps up, many are eager to wear Halloween costumes, attend parties, and roam the neighbourhood trick-or-treating. Meanwhile, the Maya-Mestizo communities of Northern and Western Belize prepare for a solemn tradition, Los Finados. Also known as Dia de los Muertos or Day of the Dead, this cultural event blends Indigenous and Catholic practices and beliefs, honouring deceased loved ones from November 1 to 9.

Día de los Angelitos

Los Finados stems from the Yucatec tradition in Mexico, Hanal Pixan (Food for the Souls), the offering to the dead. They believe that the souls of deceased loved ones will return for a visit from Purgatory, a place to purge the soul. November 1, called Día de Los Angelitos or Day of the Little Angels, observe children who have passed away with a unique altar adorned with sweet bread, candy, and other tasty treats.

Día de los Animas

The following day, November 2, Día de los Animas or All Souls’ Day, focuses on adult loved ones. Families prepare altars with the deceased’s favorite foods, treats, and beverages, including las conservas (stewed fruits- pumpkin, papaya, craboo, watermelon, etc.), ix’pasha, and bollos. Ix’pasha is a seasonal porridge made from purple corn, and bollos is a meal made with masa (corn dough) and ix’pelón – a special bean to make this specific dish. Only the cook should taste the ix’pasha, and the rest is distributed to eat after the novena and prayers. Normally, cooking for Los Finados is a family effort and is a quiet, sacred moment as the spirits are on their way. 

The altar is adorned with flowers, photos of the departed, religious images or statues, and wax candles, known as las velas de cera. Locals would prepare the candles from beeswax, which is considered the purest light source to guide the spirits or animals back to the underworld. When the flames burn towards the east, the spirits are on their way to visit, and when they burn to the west, they depart. Las velas de cera cannot be blown out with the mouth, so the altar must fully consume the candles.

Prayers of thanksgiving are offered to honor the departed. Afterwards, families partake in the food set aside, believing the spirits have taken the essence of the offerings. The rituals extend over nine days, with prayers held daily in remembrance.

On November 9, the final day of Los Finados in Belize, families place candles along roadsides to guide the spirits back to their resting places. In many communities, the celebration concludes with a Mass and a procession to the cemetery, where loved ones offer prayers, flowers, wreaths, food and drinks at their gravesites.

Community Celebrations & Events

In Northern and Western Belize, various events celebrate Los Finados, such as Noche de Cuenta Cuentos—stories of supernatural experiences, night markets, and altar exhibitions. The community is elaborately decorated with the sound of marimba resonating in the area, and locals wearing traditional attire, with their faces painted. To keep the tradition alive, the National Institute of Culture and History hosts several workshops to teach how to make authentic dishes and wax candles.

Variations of Los Finados in Belize highlight the extraordinary ways communities connect with the departed. It is a sacred, yet vibrant cultural tradition that is being passed on from generation to generation.

Banner Photo Credit: Northern Maya Association of Belize