Bolivian traditions celebrate Todos Santos and the return of souls

In Bolivia, families prepare for the Todos Santos holiday on November 1 and 2 to welcome the souls, or ajayus, of deceased loved ones. This tradition involves creating mast’aku or apxatas—altars or offering tables adorned with flowers, candles, fruits, drinks, and sweets to ensure a welcoming return.

Central to these celebrations are tantawawas and artisanal candies. In locations like Dulcería Garnica, which has maintained traditional recipes for five generations, artisans handcraft sugar figures such as baskets, crosses, and chapels. These sweets are used to decorate the altars and are believed to be carried by the souls.

For the Aymara people, death is viewed as a cycle rather than a tragedy, rooted in pre-Hispanic beliefs. The return of the ajayus is also linked to agricultural cycles, as the souls are believed to bring fertility and fecundity for the upcoming planting season in the Altiplano.