All Saints’ Day is celebrated in Spain every 1st November and in Mallorca, most notably, it is a very special occasion, filled with traditions and little rituals. Perhaps the most visible part of the festivities is the visit to the cemetery, where families lay flowers for their loved ones.
However, the celebration of memory and affection for the dearly departed goes even further, with the numerous local customs.
La Nit de les Ànimes
On the eve of All Saints’ Day, 31 October, Mallorcans celebrate the La Nit de les Ànimes (Night of the Souls), an ancient tradition that has some similarities to Halloween, but focuses on remembering the souls of loved ones. According to beliefs, on this night the souls of the deceased return to their homes and a small altar is left for them with candles, flowers and a little something such as sweets or fruit to make them feel welcome. Although this tradition is observed in a more symbolic way today, it is a lovely way of remembering those no longer with us.
The mysticism of fire
As in many Mallorcan festivals, fire is a must at this time of year. To commemorate La Nit de les Ànimes, several municipalities on the island bring their dimonis (devils) out into the streets in the traditional Correfocs (fire runs). These spectacles, packed with gunpowder and flames, are the local culture’s way of adding a magical and mystical touch to the night.
The rosary of sweets
Another of the charms of this day is the rosary of sweets or rosari ensucrat, a detail that many children in Mallorca look forward to. It consists of giving the little ones a rosary made of sweets. In the past, the rosary was made of dried fruits such as figs, almonds and other local products; but over time, it has been adapted to the new generations, integrating modern treats.
Buñuelos (fritters) and panellets
All Saints’ Day is also an invitation to savour the fruits of autumn, such as roasted chestnuts, panellets (Catalan for “little bread”) and fritters. The latter are particularly popular in Mallorca, especially around the festival of the “Verges” (21 October), although they continue to be
Enjoyed over the following weeks. With their spongy texture, fritters are a classic family snack at this time of year, as are panellets, small marzipan balls made mainly with a mixture of ground almonds, sugar, egg and sometimes potato or sweet potato to give them a softer, more moist texture. They are usually coated with pine nuts.
