Dia de los Muertos is often depicted in the media as the “Mexican Halloween,” full of weird skeleton costumes and “La Cucaracha” playing on a non-stop loop. While Dia de los Muertos does consist of skeleton outfits a-plenty and the occasional mariachi rendition of some classic songs occurs, Dia de los Muertos is so much more than that! It is a Mexican tradition that goes back centuries, full of spiritual reflection and jovial festivities.
Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a unique blend of indigenous Aztec traditions and Catholic influence from Spain to remember lost family members. Dia de los Muertos can trace its roots back to the Aztec Empire 3,000 years ago. The Aztecs considered mourning the dead to be disrespectful; they treated death as a natural part of life and an occasion for celebration. They had feasts to commemorate the lives of those lost around the fall maize harvest. When Spanish conquistadors came into power, they rejected Aztec beliefs and interchanged them for All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, which are on November 1st and 2nd respectively. Over the years, pieces of each culture were adapted and morphed into the Dia de los Muertos we celebrate today.
Altars to honor those who have passed, called altares, are a central part of the festivities. They are usually set up in homes or graveyards. Offerings, or ofrendas, are placed on these altares to call loved ones back home. Ofrendas usually consist of favorite food, drinks, items, or photos of those who have passed. Traditional ofrendas represent the four elements: lit candles are fire, beverages are water, incense is earth, and papel picado is air. Papel picado, literally translating to: perforated paper, are colorful banners hung all around cities with designs on them formed from poking tiny holes in the paper. It mirrors the Aztec tradition of depicting spirits by chiseling wood. The cempasuchil flower (marigolds) are also a signature part of the holiday. Their vibrant color and pleasant fragrance make a perfect beacon for souls returning to the mortal world. Cempasuchiles are often seen decorating costumes and masks worn during parades or festival. One of the largest parts of Dia de los Muertos are the skulls (calaveras). They are depicted everywhere in the celebration-from sugar candy to masks to statues and paintings. The most familiar type of calavera is called La Catrina. It was first drawn in the 19th century by José Guadalupe Posada, a cartoonist and social activist, to protest Mexican people’s desire to look more European.
Dia de los Muertos is celebrated with huge festivals and parties. The largest parades take place in Mexico City and consist of dancing, singing, eating, and drinking for both days of Dia de los Muertos. Celebrations are colorful and lively, in accordance with the Aztec customs. People at the festival dress up as calacas (skeletons) and paint their face to look like calaveras. Part of the celebration is also sharing oral stories about lost family members that have been passed down through generations.
Although this beloved holiday includes many small traditions, it’s a lot more than flowers and skull-shaped candies. Dia de los Muertos is about spending time with family and remembering loved ones (and maybe a little bit about the candy).
Sources:
Comments