KEJTZITAKUA ZAPICHERI
Offering and altars are placed for dead children on the 1st of November. If it is the first offering, the godfather brings an arch, which is arranged with flowers known as cempoalxóchilt or tiringuini-tzitziqui or marigolds and flowers of the soul, a type of orchid that blooms this time of year. The arch also has sugar candies in the form of angels or small animals, toys, and even clothing.
The entire family participates in decorating the altar. This is announced with firecrackers during the walk from the godparents' house to the house that of the deceased godchild. Those in the procession sing and pray, In the home of the deceased child, the altar is hung. The parents have prepared traditional dishes such as pozole, tamales, atole, among others and invite those in the procession. Very early on the morning of the 1st, the parents and godparents of the child take the offering to the cemetery. They remain there from five to nine AM, at which time they light candles as a remembrance of the light of Christ and they tribute their offering to the child.
The offering of the "Little Angels" is a tradition that takes place in all the around Lake Pátzcuaro albeit with some variations.
On the Island of Janitzio, for example, the celebration takes place in the atrium of the church and in attended by the mothers and siblings of the deceased children. Beautiful decorations made of flowers adorn the graves, as well as wooden and straw toys. Gifts the children never received while alive adorn their altars during the week.
