The Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos in Spanish) By: Kulsoom Haider The Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos in Spanish)

What it is: The Day of the Dead is celebrated in many countries but mostly in Mexico. It is celebrated for the remembrance for their loved ones that have died. Celebrated on November 1st and 2nd. The celebrators visit the graves of the dead ones and comfort the souls in many ways. Similar holidays are celebrated all around the world in similar ways.

It is celebrated on November 1st and November 2nd in Mexico. On November 1st they honor the deceased children and other infants called “Dia de los Inocentes” – Day of the Innocents and also as “Dia de los Angelitos” – Day of the Little Angels. On November 2nd they honor the adults which is referred as “Dia de los Muertos” or “Dia de los Difuntos” – Day of the Death. It is to be said that The Day of the Dead can be traced all the way back to the time period of the Olmec, Mixtec, Aztec, the Maya and many more. Which could have been as long from 2500 – 3000 years ago. In those times people used to keep skulls as trophies and display them during rituals.

Ways to Communication Between the Dead and the Living. Most people believe that The Day of the Dead is an advantage for easier communication between them and nonliving souls. On this holiday people will go to cemeteries and will build private alters containing their favorite foods and drinks, photos or other processed obsessions that the previous person had obsessed in its life. Plans are made throughout the year for this event. When the time comes families prepare by cleaning or decorating graves. Most people decorate their loved ones cemetery with ofrendas, or offerings in Spanish in which consists of orange marigolds called “cempasuchitl”. The flowers are thought to attract the dead souls to the offerings. Toys are brought for the dead children. Candies known as trinkets are laid out on graves, Sugar skulls, beverages such as atole, candied pumpkin, and other foods are put into Ofrendos. After the ceremonies, the families put out pillows and blankets so the deceased can rest. In some parts of Mexico, people spend all night beside the graves of their relatives.

Decorated Cemeteries

Sugar Skulls

Altars Some families would build altars (small shrines) in their homes having to do with statues, pictures of the Virgin Mary, pictures of deceased relatives, candles and other religious stuff. Families would spend time around the altar praying. Public Schools would usually build altars too, omitting the religious symbols. Offices and other work areas would all build at least one small altar.

Skulls Skulls are a common symbol for the holiday. People wear the design, and often make it in sugar skulls which can be gifts to both the living and the dead. Jose Guadalupe Posada made a figure called “La Calavera de la Catrina” of which is now a famous print and is associated with the Day of the Dead. Below is La Calavera de la Catrina.

Traditions and Activities in Different Places In every place they do not have not the same way of celebrating this holiday. For example would be in a town Michoacan. If the child’s death was a year ago, then the people there would celebrate the child's death on Nov 1st rather than on Nov 2nd. The godparents would set a table in the parents home with sweets, fruits, pan de muerto (a type of bread), a cross, a Rosary, and candles. They also dance with colorful costumes. This is to show the child in respect and appreciation for the parents. On Nov 2nd, they sail to a island called Janitzia, to honor the dead there in a cemetery. In a another place called Morelos, they exchange tamalas and atole with visitors for veledoras which are small wax candles. That is to show respect to the recently dead. This event is taken in someone’s house in which someone has died in the previous year. In other places, some children roam the streets asking passers for a calaverita, a small gift of money. Although they do not go from door-to-door.

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