THE COEXISTENCE WITH THE REMAINS IN THE ANDES

In the night of the 1^st of November relatives came: A reunion with the relatives is celebrated with prayers until the next morning. It is said that the soul enters the house. It is the arrival of the souls. And rumors spread that always is something missing in the plates, which means that the deceased have eaten something.

The 2^nd of November is the "Day of the Death". They go to the cemetery with the altar and the food. The family circle reunites with friends, they eat and drink with "the deceased". The 3^rd of November is the "Day of the Skulls" in Changos Bajo (Peru). A mass takes place in the cemetery, which most remarkable element is the blessing of the skulls. The number of participants is about 50 and 70 people, from which the 85% are cholitas, rural elderly women with their collection of heads. These skulls are also known by the name of Panchito (Francisco) o Avelino.