The cemeteries opened early Wednesday to receive relatives and friends of the deceased, as well as those who believe that death is only a passage to another life.

Given the insecurity crisis, the country is experiencing, in some provinces such as Guayas and Esmeraldas, cemeteries guarded by the Armed Forces with rifles and bulletproof vests after alerts of possible attacks.

As part of the rituals, families gather next to the grave to eat, particularly “Colada Morada” (hot fruit drink) with “Guagua de pan” (bread doll), which fuse history, traditions, and typical flavors of the gastronomy of this Andean nation.

jrr/iff/oda/avr