Every year in Mexico’s Huasteca Potosina region, the Day of the Dead, or Xantolo, is celebrated from October 30 to November 2. The tradition, which dates back to pre-Hispanic times, is a “feast of the souls,” symbolizing the relationship between life and death, memory and the present, and the living and their ancestors. Here, Vogue explores how Xantolo is recognized in four municipalities in San Luis Potosí: San Vicente Tancuayalab, Matlapa, San Martín Chalchicuautla, and Tanquián de Escobedo.
What is Xantolo?
Xantolo is the Day of the Dead celebration of the Huasteca region, which encompasses the Mexican states of Hidalgo, San Luis Potosí, Veracruz, Tamaulipas, and Querétaro. In the celebration of Xantolo , the altar is an essential element that symbolizes the connection between the world of the living and the world of the dead, acting as a sacred portal to receive the spirits of loved ones who return during these days. For the Huasteca communities that celebrate Xantolo, the altar goes beyond being a simple arrangement; it is a representation of the duality between life and death and the journey that souls undertake to find peace. The structure and layout of the altar are full of symbolism and elements that serve a specific purpose, each intended to guide, honor, and welcome the deceased.
San Vicente Tancuayalab
Xantolo is experienced in a very special way in the municipality of San Vicente Tancuayalab, San Luis Potosí. Here, more than a tradition, it is part of the identity of the native communities; entire families design their costumes together.