Día de los Difuntos: Ecuador's Day of the Dead

Last modified on November 1, 2025 • 4 min read • 644 words

Did you know that Ecuador celebrates its own “Día de los Muertos”? The “Día de los Difuntos”, or “Day of the Deceased”, is observed in many Latin American countries, each with its own unique traditions. In Ecuador, the holiday falls on November 2nd, coinciding with the Catholic “All Souls’ Day”. It’s a day that evolved with time but keeps the familiar traditions of remembering their deceased, a celebration where food plays a central role.

While the core idea is the same everywhere, honoring and remembering loved ones who have passed, the Ecuadorian tradition is a blend of indigenous Andean customs (pre-Inca, Inca) and Spanish colonial influences. This fusion has created a distinctive set of symbols, rituals, and food.

This day is seen as a time of reunion between the living and the dead. Families visit cemeteries to clean and decorate the graves of their relatives with fresh flowers and candles. Many also create a small altar, or ofrenda, at home, adorned with photographs, favorite foods, and personal items of the departed. It is believed that the souls of deceased loved ones return for a visit, and these offerings make them feel welcomed and comfortable at home again.

What about the food?  

Two star-dishes go hand-in-hand during these festivities: Guaguas de Pan and Colada Morada. They are not only delicious but are awaited by Ecuadorians all year long. This is definitely one of Luis’ favorite traditions, and he especially loves the Colada Morada his aunt makes every year.

Guaguas de Pan  

Guaguas de Pan (literally “bread babies”) are sweet, decorated buns traditionally shaped like children, sometimes like animals. Their origin dates back to the colonial era when Spanish Catholics attempted to replace indigenous traditions of celebrating with the bodies of the deceased taken out of their graves to eat and drink with them at home. To preserve their traditions, the indigenous first used dolls to represent their ancestors, and eventually created bread figures. This allowed them to maintain the main meaning of the Día de los Difuntos, celebrating both life and death.

Colada Morada  

Colada Morada (“purple drink”) is a thick, aromatic beverage made from purple corn flour, fruits like mortiño (Andean blueberry) and blackberries, and a blend of spices and herbs like Ishpingo (Amazonian Cinnemon). It is served warm, traditionally alongside the Guaguas de Pan. The drink’s history is complex, but it’s believed to have evolved from a pre-Hispanic ritual where indigenous people drank a beverage made with animal blood, from Llamas or birds, to honor their deceased. When the Spanish banned this practice, a new drink was created using similar colors and textures, but incorporating European spices like cinnamon and anis. Today, it is enjoyed throughout Ecuador, with slight variations from region to region.

Other Traditions of the Day  

• Music and Storytelling: In some communities, it is traditional to sing, share anecdotes about ancestors, and open the doors of the home to share food and stories with neighbors.
• Food Offerings: Families often prepare the favorite dishes of the deceased, so when their spirits return, they can “enjoy” the foods they loved in life.
• Processions: Some towns organize processions that merge Catholic rites with pre-colonial reverence for ancestors.

A Celebration with Many Faces  

• Regional Variation: In the coastal provinces, the celebration leans more toward Catholic liturgy, while in the highland provinces, you’ll find stronger indigenous influences.
• Timing: Although November 2nd is the main day, preparations often begin on November 1st (Noche de los Difuntos). Families start cleaning graves and baking guaguas so everything is ready for midnight when the spirits are believed to arrive.
• Community Involvement: In many neighborhoods, families join together to bake large batches of guaguas and brew colada morada, reinforcing communal bonds.
• Modern Twists: Younger generations sometimes reinterpret the guaguas with contemporary designs and different flavors or fillings, all while preserving the fundamental spirit of remembrance.