1. Sus preguntas y las respuestas sobre el Día de Los Muertos
Por Srta. Ross

2. When did people start to celebrate Día de los Muertos?
Rituals celebrating the deaths of ancestors had been observed by these civilizations perhaps for as long as 2,500–3,000 years.
Scholars trace the origins of the modern Mexican holiday to indigenous observances dating back hundreds of years and to an Aztec festival dedicated to the goddess Mictecacihuatl 'Meek-teka-see-wahdl (Lady of the Dead)
Her role is to watch over the bones of the dead and preside over the ancient festivals of the dead. These festivals evolved from Aztec traditions into the modern Day of the Dead after synthesis with Spanish traditions

3. Where do cempasúchil grow?

4. Why did they choose this flower?
The Digital Library of Traditional Mexican Medicine explains that the flower is originally from Mexico, making the usage of the native plant in altars even more significant. “It’s not just a flower, it’s our flower.” And it’s not just our flower, it’s a potent flower.
The website details its ethno botany, making note that the flower is medicinal and used by many to heal digestive ailments, headaches, eye problems, fevers, insomnia, diabetes, rheumatism,

5. Why are cempasúchil called the flower of 400 lives?
The name for this flower comes from the Aztecs. The Nahuatl words for twenty and flower. Therefore making marigolds the flower of twenty petals.
I could not find any further information about why! If you find out please share with us.

6. Why is it on November 1st and 2nd?
On October 31, All Hallows Eve, the children make a children's altar to invite the angelitos (spirits of dead children) to come back for a visit. November 1 is All Saints Day, and the adult spirits will come to visit.
November 2 is All Souls Day, when families go to the cemetery to decorate the graves and tombs of their relatives.

7. Why are people “happy” someone has died
Why are people “happy” someone has died? Why is death celebrated as happiness?
The Aztecs developed the ritual some 3,000 years ago because they believed one should not grieve the loss of a beloved ancestor who passed.
Instead, the Aztecs celebrated their lives and welcomed the return of their spirits to the land of the living once a year. That's where the food, drink and music ofrendas, or offerings, come in

8. How did José Guadalupe Posada begin to start drawing cartoons with calacas?
One reason he chose calacas (skeletons) is because they were already a well-established icon in Mexico for El Día de los Muertos (the Day of the Dead).
Another reason might relate to the idea that mortality is the great equalizer of the classes, mocking the rich and empowering the poor which he often did in his satirical commentaries on social life and status

9. In the pre-Hispanic era skulls were commonly kept as trophies and displayed during the rituals to symbolize death and rebirth.
Why skulls?

10. I don’t understand why they put food on the altar.
According to custom, food is placed on the ofrenda or brought to the cemetary to nourish the departing souls after a long journey back.
Text is copyright protected © Thaneeya LLC: dead-altars.html#ixzz2jMO2Imti t

11. Who eats the foods on the ofrenda?
When the souls have left the special foods are shared with family, friends and neighbors.
Mexicans do not actually think that the departed eat the food, rather it serves as a connection between the living and the dead and they also believe that the returning souls appreciate the effort.
Some people believe the spirits of the dead eat the "spiritual essence" of the ofrendas food, so though the celebrators eat the food after the festivities, they believe it lacks nutritional value

12. Does this celebration involve religion?
Some families build altars or small shrines in their homes; these usually have the Christian cross, statues or pictures of the Blessed Virgin Mary, pictures of deceased relatives and other persons on an ofrenda. (83% of Mexico is Catholic)
Traditionally, families spend some time around the altar, praying and telling anecdotes about the deceased.

13. Is it celebrated in all Spanish speaking countries?
The holiday has spread throughout the world
In Brazil Dia de Finados is a public holiday that many Brazilians celebrate by visiting cemeteries and churches.
In Spain there are festivals and parades, and, at the end of the day, people gather at cemeteries and pray for their dead loved ones.
Similar observances occur elsewhere in Europe, and similarly themed celebrations appear in many Asian and African cultures.

14. Is it a celebration, an honoring or a memorial?
Above all a celebration and honoring of a loved one departed. A time to remember and respect their memory.

15. Is there a traditional music during Dia de los Muertos?
M%C3%BAsica+Tradicional+de+Dia+de+Muertos
Is there a traditional music during Dia de los Muertos?

16. Which family members do they honor?
A candle is lit for each
departed soul

17. Do people dress up to celebrate?
Some choose to dress up as the person who has departed
There is also dancing with colorful costumes, often with skull-shaped masks
Do people dress up to celebrate?

18. They can be any size!
How big are ofrendas?

19. What is copal and its use on the ofrenda?
Copal is a tree sap that is burned at an ofrenda thought to purify the air and welcome the departed ancestors
What is copal and its use on the ofrenda?

20. Fuentes de información
dead-altars.html
eltons?#slide3
aca-mexico/