Briefing
On 28 October 2026, Antonio Botías, the Cronista Oficial de Murcia, discussed the traditions surrounding Tosantos (Todos los Santos) was presented publicly in the Huerta of Murcia and its connection to the present day was put into context. Botías describes traditional rituals – such as preparing a room with fresh bed linen, lighting small oil lamps (mariposas) and setting out hollowed-out pumpkins with candles, which in the area were also known as calabazas de las ánimas These practices historically served both to remember the dead and as a nocturnal, sometimes mischievous expression of children’s customs in the Huerta.
As Botías notes, his account is based on chronicles, contemporary reports and oral traditions; he cites historical references dating back to the 19th century. At the same time, he stresses that this is not a widespread return of old customs today, but a matter of isolated initiatives: this autumn, local cultural associations, schools and individual Pedanías are once again presenting events, talks and performances here and there. Examples of visible traces include neighbouring towns such as Beniaján, Algezares and El Raal as well as the continued presence of Aurorosgroups, which continue to perform night-time songs in cemeteries and chapels.
A locally rooted form of going door to door is the so-called orillica del quijal (also recorded as hebrica del quijal): children once went singing through the Huerta, asking for fruit and small gifts. In recent days, regional media and municipal programmes have highlighted this practice as a historical precursor to the modern “truco o trato”. Regional tourism and cultural websites, as well as local media reports, attest to the existence of these traditions and ongoing initiatives to pass on intangible cultural heritage.
Conclusion: Botías’ account is supported in its historical purpose and rooted in the region. It justifies reporting on the memory of Tosantos and local customs, while making clear that these are isolated, mediated revivals rather than a general return to historical everyday practices.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).