Día de los Muertos

Los Dias de Los Muertos What is it? Los Dias de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead, is a traditional Mexico holiday honoring the dead. In the past, this period marked the time when the deceased could return to the world of the living and visit their loved ones, but now it is usually a time to celebrate, remember, and pray for their souls. Los Dias de los Muertos is not a sad time, but instead a time of remembering and rejoicing.

When is it? Different categories of deceased individuals are celebrated on different days. October 28th: People who died violently, such as those who were victims of accidents, homicides, or people who committed suicide. October 29th: Those who died unbaptized. October 31st: Children who died after being baptized. (It is believed that upon death, they instantly became little angels and are thereafter known as angelitos.) November 1st: All adults not covered in another category. On October 31st, it is said that the angelitos come back at 3pm and return to their graves at 3pm on November 1st, which is the time the adults spirits return to the world.

Misconceptions It is not a Mexican Halloween! Dia de los muertos is more of a festive or family event. They pray, clean off family graves and decorate them. The Day of the Dead is not a cult. This ritual has nothing to do with cults. It is a Catholic Christian ritual intermixed with folk culture. Going to mass is an essential aspect of this celebration. Altars or ofrendas are not for worshiping but for offering our love and remembering our departed family members.

Altars - Ofrendas In the homes families arrange ofrenda's or "altars" with flowers, bread, fruit and candy. Pictures of the deceased family members are added. In the late afternoon special all night burning candles are lit - it is time to remember the departed - the old ones, their parents and grandparents. How the deceased lived their life determines how the friends and family should decorate the altar (ofrenda) or grave. Altars should include: A picture of the one being  remembered Items they were fond of Something to snack on Candles Flowers Gifts

The Ofrenda The ofrenda is a table or area decorated to hold the offerings for the spirits. Especially in Oaxaca, it is considered a great craft, and there is an ofrenda competition in the cemetery. Once the spirits return, they will be hungry and thirsty after their long journey. Special foods will be prepared and set out on the ofrenda. Tamales, pumkin cooked with brown sugar, cane sugar and tejocotes, pan de muerto, chocolate, nuts and fresh fruit, as well as local specialties like mole.

Sand Sculptures - Tapetes de Arenas Another decorative way to honor the dead is Tapete de Arena, sand sculptures, are colored "carpets" made from dyed sawdust, sand, seeds, and flower petals. Like the ofrenda, making the tapete is almost an art form and there is a competition for the best tapete de Arena in the city. The sand sculptures are beautiful and very delicate; they and the ofrendas make going from shop to shop along the streets of Oaxaca a treat during dias de los muertos.

Traditions Pan de los Muertos Special loaves of bread are baked, called pan de muertos, and decorated with "bones. This sweet bread is a treat for both the dead and the living.

Copal A type of incense used since the Mayans. It is made from the dried resin of the copal tree. The incense is somewhat smoky when burned and has sort of a pine scent.

Traditions: Flowers La flor de Cempazuchitl During los Dias de los Muertos the yellow marigold symbolizes the short duration of life. In Oaxaca, there is a whole street lined with flower vendors. The traditional flower of dia de los muertos is an orange marigold. The flower can be seen walking down the street in doorways, covering ofrendas, and at churches.

Traditions: Papel Picado Papel Picado is a traditional art used to decorate homes, businesses, markets and altars in preparation for the Day of the Dead. The thin tissue paper images are usually cut in large quantities and hung in repetitious patterns.

Traditions: Skeletons Skeletons and skulls are found everywhere. Chocolate skulls, marzipan coffins, and white chocolate skeletons. Handmade skeleton figurines, called calacas, are especially popular. Calacas usually show an active and joyful afterlife. Figures of musicians, generals on horseback, even skeletal brides, in their white bridal gowns marching down the aisles with their boney grooms.

The calavera, or skeleton, is an important symbol during dia de muertos. Calaveras decorate the inside of shops and shop windows Stores and shops in the stalls of the markets set up large displays like the one above to show off their muertos wares. There are a variety of decorations, candy, and bread to chose from to prepare for the Day of the Dead feast and/or to decorate the tombs and gravestones of loved ones.

Sugar Skulls Candy, candy, candy. Candy flows through Oaxaca during el Dia de los Muertos and most of the candy displayed and eaten takes the form of sugar skulls. There are many different ways to make these sugar skulls. Some are large and thin, easy to break apart and snack on as you are making your way through the city. Some are coated with sesame seeds and nuts. Some are chocolate and decorated with hard candies. But most of those that are used to decorate the tombs are small, hard sugar skulls, painted with frosting and bits of foil.

And the cascarones (the colorful painted eggshells filled with confetti)

Cemeteries You hear a lot about the crazy parades of dia de los muertos, but the cemeteries are just as, if not more, spectacular. Flowers, candy, bread and drink adorn the tombs and thousands and thousands of candles cast an eerie, romantic glow on the families and friends mourning and celebrating their lost loved ones.

Parades / Comparsas These are another important part of the festivities and take place throughout the streets of cities and towns. Dancing and costumes are a necessity for these events. Children, adults and the elderly all participate in the comparsas.

Links Día de los Muertos: For Teachers and Students http://www.azcentral.com/ent/dead/teachers/ Common misconceptions about the Day of the Dead http://www.inside-mexico.com/noes.htm History, Traditions, and Significance http://www.nacnet.org/assunta/dead.htm