Between Altars and Memories, Mexico Lives in Nashville
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El Día de los Muertos (The Day of the Dead) is a Mexican tradition that has been celebrated since pre-Hispanic times on November 1st and 2nd. It has its origins in medieval Europe and was instituted by the Catholic Church to honor All Saints—that is, the blessed and canonized—but mainly the unknown saints. According to the INAFED (National Institute for Federalism and Municipal Development), in the Indigenous worldview, the Day of the Dead represents the temporary return of the souls of the deceased, who come home—back to the world of the living—to spend time with their families and be nourished by the essence of the food offered to them on the altars prepared in their honor. These offerings preserve a symbolic meaning that allows for a reunion between the dead and their loved ones.
During this festivity, elements such as La Catrina—created by José Guadalupe Posada in 1910 as part of a satirical lithograph—are incorporated to represent the Mexican attitude toward life and death: a blend of Indigenous and European traditions in which death is celebrated as part of the life cycle. La Catrina embodies the humor and beauty of existence, reminding us to honor our ancestors and live life to the fullest. The importance of this celebration for Mexicans has led many to continue observing it even outside their homeland, as a way to keep alive the memory and presence of their deceased loved ones.
One of the events commemorating this tradition takes place in Nashville, Tennessee, at the Cheekwood Estate & Gardens on November 1st and 2nd each year. The event features a wide range of activities, including traditional Mexican folk dances, a Catrina parade, an altar exhibition featuring Día de los Muertos offerings, live music, Indigenous performances, and the sale of typical Mexican and Latin American foods, among many other attractions.
This year, I once again visited the Cheekwood Estate to celebrate El Día de los Muertos. Upon entering, the venue greets visitors with beautiful gardens decorated with an autumn theme, featuring pumpkins and flowers in warm orange and golden tones. Likewise, the food trucks offering authentic Mexican cuisine—such as birria tacos, elotes (Mexican street corn), horchata and agua de jamaica (hibiscus water), and traditional sweets including pan de muerto (bread of the dead), sugar skulls, and conchas (sweet bread)—fill the air with irresistible aromas that invite visitors to taste everything.
Not far away, inside the Massey Auditorium, is the altar exhibition, where various foundations, institutions, and even schools present their altars. Each display includes characteristic elements such as the marigold flower (cempasúchil), photographs of deceased loved ones, toys for departed children, and traditional foods and sweets, as well as the favorite dishes of the deceased—such as pozole, mole, Jarritos or Coca-Cola, fruit, water, and wine. Other elements, such as candles, salt, flowers, copal, and incense, were also present, symbolizing purification, the light that guides souls back to the earthly realm, the cleansing of evil spirits, and the festivity itself.
Personally, I appreciated how each altar utilized these elements in such original and artistic ways, transforming the commemoration into a beautiful and reflective experience, filled with vibrant colors and personal details that invite visitors to reflect on the lives of those who have passed. Meanwhile, small local businesses also participated in the event, offering handmade crafts inspired by the celebration—such as keychains, candles, clothing, pillows, and paintings, among other products. This not only helped support local entrepreneurs but also allowed visitors to take home a unique keepsake from the celebration.
Additionally, in the open-air space known as the Arboretum Lawn, several folk dance groups performed, including Danza Azteca Guadalupana, Los Lirios Folklóricos, Folklore Iyali, Cane Ridge HS Dance Group, and Grupo Folklórico Raíces de mi Tierra. Each performance was filled with color, rhythm, and energy, showcasing the cultural diversity and richness of Mexican traditions. In particular, the dancers who performed an Indigenous dance captivated the audience with their elaborate costumes, adorned with colorful feathered headdresses and ankle rattles that, when moved to the rhythm of the drums, produced a sound reminiscent of flowing water or the murmur of a river. The strength of their movements and their synchronization with the music created a mystical and hypnotic atmosphere that connected directly with the ancestral roots of the celebration. It was, without a doubt, an emotional and meaningful performance that allowed attendees to appreciate the cultural depth of El Día de los Muertos—beyond the offerings and altars—as a celebration of life, memory, and identity.
Finally, the Catrina Parade—or Fashion Show featuring Las Catrinas—presented a variety of costumes inspired by the traditional Mexican Catrina. The outfits featured skull face paint adorned with colored gemstones, sparkles, and glitter details that enhanced each participant’s expression. Flower crowns decorated the models’ hair, styled in braided updos intertwined with colorful ribbons, adding an artisanal and festive touch. Although all the costumes were colorful, they varied according to each model’s personal style. Some chose somber tones, such as black lace combined with purple or red flowers, while one stood out in a white gown reminiscent of a bride’s. Her dress, with delicate embroidery and a translucent veil, evoked the poetic image of a ghostly bride—blending elegance and symbolism in a performance that captivated the audience.
El Día de los Muertos at Cheekwood has become a true meeting place between tradition and cultural diversity. Beyond its visual beauty, the event represents the strength of a community that keeps its roots alive and proudly shares them with others. In an artistic and family-friendly environment, this celebration demonstrates that honoring those who have passed away is also a way of celebrating life, memory, and the continuity of Mexican culture.
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My name is Gimena Cante, and I am 23 years old. I’m from Yucatán, Mexico, which you might not be familiar with, but it is home to Chichen Itza, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. I have lived in Tennessee for six years and have a passion for languages and cultures. My biggest goal in life is to travel around the world, not only to discover countries I’ve never heard of but also to explore my own country entirely.
