Panama Celebrates the Day of the Dead with Flowers Hot Dogs and Prayers
Dozens of vendors can be seen stationed along the streets leading to the cemetery.
What was once a day of reflection and offerings to loved ones has now transformed into a veritable commercial hub. During All Souls’ Day, the areas surrounding cemeteries across the country resemble bustling fairs more than places of eternal rest. During a tour of the municipal cemetery of Juan Díaz, dozens of vendors were observed stationed along the streets leading to the cemetery. Not only are flowers and wreaths offered, but also food, soups, hot dogs, sodas, natural juices, meat on a stick, shaved ice, sunglasses and even costume jewelry offered by foreign merchants.
“You have to look for the real money where there are people, because things are tough,” commented a vendor while attending to visitors who arrived with flowers in their hands and hunger in their stomachs. Others stated that, faced with a lack of opportunities, they have no choice but to “follow the crowd,” whether to a cemetery, a pilgrimage, or a parade. Even so, the vendors remained optimistic. “God is great and things will get better,” said a woman selling fresh juices under the blazing sun.
