DÍA DE LOS DIFUNTOS OR DAY OF THE DECEASED Today marks the end of one of the craziest few day

DÍA DE LOS DIFUNTOS OR DAY OF THE DECEASED

Today marks the end of one of the craziest few days we’ve spent so far in Ecuador, and I suspect it won’t be paralleled until this time next year. That’s because the city was awash with celebrations for Cuenca’s Independence Day (11/3) and Día de los Difuntos, or Day of the Deceased (11/2). Día de los Difuntos is a holiday meant to honor the life of those who have passed away. Traditionally on Día de los Difuntos, families visit cemeteries and take flowers, candles and food to those who have passed away. Indigenous families often eat lunch on top of the graves of their loved ones. But probably more noticeably, there are constant street festivals and parties in every sector on the city for all hours of the day – for four days straight!

There are two foods that are always served for Día de los Difuntos - colada morada, a purple corn drink, and guaguas de pan, sweet breads shaped like babies. The word guagua (pronounced kind of like wa-wa) is a quechua word that means baby or child, and like many other quechua words, it is often mixed with Spanish in everyday conversations. For example, “guagua” is another word Ecuadorians use to mean children.

The colada morada (or purple colada, or oatmeal drink) is made from cooking blackberries, blueberries, cinnamon, cloves, and other fruits and spices with a little oatmeal in the water until thick. The drink is then blended until fairly smooth and served lukewarm. For the past week, colada morada and guaguas de pan have been sold practically everywhere – bakeries, restaurants, street vendors, coffee shops, etc. On top of that, we were given both by our landlords, and I must say, their colada morada was definitely the best I’ve had. 

But whew, I’m glad these holidays only happen once a year – it’s going to take me a week to catch up on sleep!