XANTOLO: A CELEBRATION OF LIFE, DEATH AND MEMORIES
by Patricia Morales-Cano
Xantolo is the celebration of Day of the Dead of the Huasteca region of Mexico, which includes the states of Hidalgo, San Luis Potosí, Veracruz, Tamaulipas and Querétaro. Xantolo means “feast of the souls” and is usually celebrated every year from October 30th to November 2nd. The celebration includes artistic expression through music, theater, dance and painting. It is an experience of identity and profound spirituality that symbolizes the relationship between life and death, memories and the present, and the living and departed ones.
Although Day of the Dead was not always part of the local Hispanic culture, many of us, both Hispanic and non-Hispanic, have appropriated parts of that culture, especially after the movies The Book of Life and Coco hit the screen. Many homes are full of Day of the Dead objects all year long. The Xantolo celebration is being planned in Grant County in order to move from cultural appropriation to cultural appreciation and respect. Many communities in New Mexico and other states have big celebrations for Day of the Dead. In our diverse community that includes locals and transplants, different party affiliations, faith groups and ethnic cultures, and the LGBTQ+ community, it is hoped that the celebration will bring all groups together as we work to plan the celebration and learn that it is more than sugar skulls and skeletons, and definitely not the Mexican equivalent of Halloween. Death is the greatest equalizer and something that we all must face. Many of us are grieving, and there is no better way to go through that process than by working on a celebration to honor our departed loved ones.
Xantolo: A Celebration of Life, Death and Memories is being spearheaded by Patricia and Guadalupe Cano of Teatro del Cobre. The event is planned for October 31 and November 1st of 2026. Preparations for the celebration will begin this month, with an informational meeting for all those might be interested in participating to be scheduled within the next couple of weeks. The public is invited to come for a presentation and decide how to participate. Throughout the year, there will be workshops on how to make masks, paper flowers, papel picado, table decorations, costumes, alebrijes(spirit animals) and much more. There will even be a workshop on face painting in order to prepare for the Catrín/Catrina pageant and a workshop on how to make a proper altar (ofrenda) to honor a departed loved one. Car clubs are invited to build ofrendas in the trunks of their cars and families are invited to build ofrendas at Gough Park.
This 2-day event will include a street celebration in Silver City on October 31st, with traditional Xantolo music, dancing to the music of Illusion Band, food trucks and vendors specializing in Day of the Dead items. Local residents from all walks of life will be invited to dress in costumes and hand-crafted masks and dance to the traditional Xantolo dance called La Bamba. It is hoped that at least 100 individuals will want to participate in this dance. This version of La Bamba is quite different from the La Bamba that was popularized by Ritchie Valens and is played by most Southwest bands. We might even want to dance to that version as well!
On November 1st, there will be a 3-hour presentation beginning at 2:00 p.m. at the Fine Arts Center Theatre on the campus of Western New Mexico University, outlining different aspects of Xantolo, traditional music and dances, presentations by other ethnic groups and a special Day of the Dead presentation by Mariachi Reyes Coronado and Ballet Folklórico Iztak from El Paso, Texas. The director of the mariachi is none other than Danny Reyes, who came to Western New Mexico University as a faculty member to begin the mariachi program. His wife, Airam Jaramillo Reyes is the director of the Ballet Folklórico Itzak. Admission for the show will be $10.00. Immediately after the show, attendees may travel to the Veteran’s Memorial Business and Conference Center to partake of a traditional Day of the Dead dinner, including mole, pipián, tamales, menudo, posole, pan de muerto, Mexican hot chocolate and other delicious foods and drinks, all for $10.00 a plate.
You might wonder how the citizens of Grant County can participate in this celebration? The following is what is needed to make this event a success and an attraction for tourists: (1) persons who can sew and make costumes, (2) persons who have costumes that can be shared, (3) persons who wish to perform one or more choreographed dances in the street, (4) vendors who wish to sell Day of the Dead-themed articles, (5) vendors who wish to sell food at the Saturday celebration, (6) persons who wish to sell coffee, hot tea and hot chocolate, (7) persons that are interested in tabling at the event and possibly providing treats for the children since it falls on Halloween, (8) persons with classic cars who are interested in building ofrendas in their trunks, (9) persons who are artistic and can paint faces in the Catrina theme, (10) persons who can help with logistics, (11) families who are interested in building an ofrenda at Gough Park to honor their departed family members; (12) persons who can help decorate for the dinner, (13) persons who want to help make papel picado, (13) middle school and high school teachers who want to teach their students a traditional dance to perform at the Saturday event, (14) elementary school teachers who might have their students make decorations for the dinner, (15) adults, children and couples who want to enter the Catrín/Catrina Pageant, (16) individuals and organizations who will serve as sponsors and donate tax-deductible funds for the event through the Gila Community Foundation, (17) persons who can work backstage during the show, (17) persons who will sell tickets to the show and the dinner at the Saturday event, (18) persons who will sell tickets at the door of the show, (19) persons who will pass out programs at the show, (20) caterers who can provide traditional foods for the dinner , (21) men and women who are interested in dressing as Catrines/Catrinas so that the public can take photos with them, (22) persons who enjoy taking photographs of local events and will share their photos on Facebook, (23) persons who might be interested in serving on organizing committees, and finally, (24) artisans who will make large alebrijesto put around the park.
So you see, there are many ways to participate in this local event. Anyone who is interested in participating is encouraged to attend the previously mentioned meeting that will soon be announced. To receive more information or get on a list to receive workshop information, please send an email message to
