Photo ABCs

Xantolo, Xilitla, Mexico

A young man prepares for the parade of calaveras of Day of the Dead, or Xantolo, in Xilitla, Mexico.

Xantolo, Xilitla, Mexico

Many of the "women" in the parades in Xilitla were men dressed as women, such as this one, with an unusual mask.

Xantolo, Xilitla

On October 31, Xilitla has a raucous parade with revelers dressed in outlandish costumes, like this one.

Day of the Dead (Xantolo), Xilitla, Mexico

Day of the Dead (Xantolo), Xilitla, Mexico

Day of the Dead (Xantolo), Xilitla, Mexico

Day of the Dead (Xantolo), Xilitla, Mexico

Day of the Dead (Xantolo), Xilitla, Mexico

A girl participates in the somber and spooky parade of Catrinas in Xilitla, Mexico, illuminated only by candlelight.

Day of the Dead (Xantolo), Xilitla, Mexico

After the parade of Catrinas in Xilitla, Mexico.

Day of the Dead: Xilitla, Mexico

Xilitla is a small town in the Sierra Gorda mountains of Mexico, in the state of San Luis Potosí.

They celebrate Day of the Dead, though they also call it Xantolo, which means, more or less, All Saints Day, in the local language.

There are two parades, one on the evening of October 31, which is a rather raucous affair, and another on November 1, which is a somber, spooky parade of Catrinas (skeletons) performed in darkness, illuminated by candles.

Here is a Catrina on horseback, before the parade. (tap or click to enlarge)