In the pictures, you can see how the SALEM children prepared a type of smoothie and some pastry: these are Colada Morada and Guaguas de Pan. But what exactly are these things, what’s their significance, and why can you see them everywhere in Ecuador on November 2nd?

To truly understand, we need to take a little detour. In Germany and other predominantly catholic countries, November 2nd is celebrated as All Souls’ Day, a holiday dedicated to remembering all the souls who have passed away, honoring the deceased. In some places, people visit cemeteries for grave blessings, decorating the
graves of loved ones with candles and lights.

In Spanish-speaking Ecuador, instead of All Souls’ Day, they celebrate the Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos). In media, this day has gained popularity primarily thanks to Disney movies like Coco. However, those films mainly depict Mexican traditions. Long ago in Ecuador, the Día de los Muertos was marked by exhuming the dead and carrying them through the town in a procession to honor their memory. However, with the arrival of Catholicism and its influence, such practices were frowned upon as they were seen as disturbing the eternal rest of the dead. Over time, the traditions of the Día de los Muertostransformed into something new.

Today, much like in other countries, Ecuadorians honor their dead with lights and offerings at gravesites. But here’s where we circle back to the beginning—there’s more to it!

 

Together, these foods symbolize the bodies and blood of the departed. The tradition is widespread, and even in schools and at SALEM, these foods are prepared. The children had been looking forward to it for weeks and had a blast making and enjoying the Colada Morada and Guaguas de Pan.

You can follow the process of making these deeply symbolic dishes, so rooted in Ecuadorian culture, in the photo gallery!

by Daniel Wolpers — SALEM volunteer 24/25