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| Colorful altar with sugar skulls, food, and flowers |
Day
of the Dead is a Mexican holiday observed throughout Mexico. The holiday
focuses on gathering of family and friends to pray for and remember family and
friends who have died. This celebration takes place on October 31st, November
1st, and November 2nd.
On these days people build altars called "Ofrendas" to honor the deceased. Sugar skulls, favorite foods and beverages of the departed, and visiting
graves with these as gifts is a common tradition. They also leave possessions of the deceased at their graves.
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| Altar with food, pictures, and candles | |
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This holiday is very important to
the Mexican heritage. Schools and government offices usually have altars omitting religious
symbols. October 31st refers to inviting the Angelitos (“Spirits of Dead
Children”). November 1st refers as Dia de los Inocentes (“Day of the
Innocents”), and November 2nd as Dia de los Muertos (“Day of the
Dead"). Throughout these 3 days, people go to the cemeteries to be with the souls
of other departed and take Pan de Muerto ("Bread for the Dead”) and Cempasuchitl,
also referred as Flor De Muerto (marigold flowers). The families also take toys
and candles for the children and Tequila, Mezcal, Pulque, or jars of Atole for
Adults. The intent for this is to encourage visits by the souls so the souls
will hear the prayers and the comments of the living directed to them.
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| Sugar skulls and Pan de Puerto |
Celebrations
can also be humorous as family members remember funny events and anecdotes
of the departed.
Rituals celebrating
the deaths of ancestors have been observed by this civilization for as long as
2,500 to 3000 years. In the Pre-Hispanic era, skulls were commonly kept as trophies
and displayed during the rituals to symbolize death and rebirth. Even though this holiday is particularly
celebrated in Mexico, other countries like Brazil and Spain and countries in Europe,
Asia, and Africa have started similar themed celebrations.
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| People gather at graves of the deceased |
Article was written by LAMP Interpreter, Janette A.
