Celebrating the Day of the Dead

by josiemitchell | October 31, 2008 at 02:53 pm

2387 views | 6 Recommendations | 20 comments

Day of the Dead, a traditional Mexican holiday celebrated in Mexico, some parts of Central America and the United States is a time to commemorate the dead, but not in the "let's wear all black and cry" way. Day of the Dead, or rather Día de los Muertos is a day to celebrate the dead. They may be gone, but that doesn't mean we can't enjoy their company.

Many have associated Day of the Dead's openness with the dead with the spookiness of Halloween and though there are correlations, Day of the Dead is a far more spiritual celebration than North American Halloween.

The tradition can be celebrated in a variety of ways, the most common being with food and drink (like any other celebration) and has deep roots in pre-contact Aztec culture.

The indigenous people of pre-Hispanic Mexico believed the souls of their deceased loved ones return to their families once a year so that their lives can be celebrated.

The first day of the holiday, November 1st, focuses on children who have died and is more somber than the second day, which commemorates the lives of deceased adults.

Even though it was an indigenous celebration well before the Spanish conquest of Mexico in the 1500s, after Catholicism was introduced the official holiday was established on Nov. 1 and 2 to coincide with All Saints' Day.

Friends and family celebrate at cemeteries, where graves are adorned with the traditional flower of the dead - the bright marigold, or zempasuchitl. Decorated candy sugar skulls that represent the physical presence of death also bedeck the altars and gravestones of loved ones, and can be spotted in most public places around the holiday.

Brightly colored tissue paper cutouts, or papel picado, decorate cemeteries as well as the homes of the deceased person's family as a signal to the soul that festivities await them on earth. The most significant offerings, though, are the food and beverages that people put on the altars; the deceased's favorite beer, candy and street foods are put on display while those keeping vigil often enjoy more traditional foods.

In more rural areas of Mexico and Central America the family will actually go to the grave site of the deceased and dance and feast in the cemetery. There the headstones will be decorated with marigold flowers, and all types of food including candied skulls.

With the growing Hispanic influence in the United States more and more areas in North America are embracing the tradition. In the European culture, that is the predecessor of American and Canadian cultures, death is not something that is embraced much less even talked about. Incorporating Day of Dead views of the deceased may be a new and perhaps healthier way of dealing with our ghosts.

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Great Stone Face

at 15:23 on October 31st, 2008

photo taken Mi Victoria bakery in Austin TX, Oct. 31, 2008.

Great Stone Face has contributed a photo to this story.

lnazimiec

at 16:24 on October 31st, 2008

A Calabera on display in the Jardin Borda in Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico. Photo taken Thursday, Oct 30th.

lnazimiec has contributed a photo to this story.

Hawexicans

at 16:25 on October 31st, 2008

Photo taken in my home - Maui HI

My children were very curious of the new "Old" faces looking back at them from the altar I set up in our home. It was like they were present in our lives again, even if only for a few days. We have enjoyed telling stories about our ancestors and loved ones displayed here. Mostly funny anecdotes, that made for cheerful conversation with my 5 & 2 year old. The color full paper flowers and lights brought a celebratory feeling. This is a tradition that we plan on sharing for years to come.

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Jon Azpiri

at 16:26 on October 31st, 2008

I had the chance to attend a Dia de los Muertos celebration in Guatemala a few years back. Everyone would walk through town and visit the homes of families that had just lost a loved one. The families would serve us their deceased family member's favorite food. It was really interesting to see how El Dia de los Muertos helped people and a community cope with the loss of a family member.

Melissa Prado Little

at 03:22 on November 1st, 2008

These photographs are scenes from the Day of the Dead procession at the Austin Discovery School in Austin, TX www.austindiscoveryschool.org

Melissa Prado Little has contributed a photo to this story.

Michaelangelo CRG

at 18:43 on October 31st, 2008

Dia de los Muertos celebration down in the King William Arts District of downtown San Antonio. This night there were several artists with their Dia de los Muertos inspired art work on display and I was left breathless with the outstanding works of art. This papel picado, or cut out paper was beautiful, unfortunately I didnt get the artist name.

Michaelangelo CRG has contributed a photo to this story.

chris.staefe

at 19:13 on October 31st, 2008

Marigolds are the typical flowers found on decorated grave sites and on sidewalks leading into residences for Day of the Dead. The flower trials leading into residences are so that the spirits can find their way back home. Just outside a market near the zócalo in Cholula, Puebla, bushels of these flowers are sold that are picked fresh from the marigold fields nearby.

chris.staefe has contributed a photo to this story.

Surisaddai88

at 20:03 on October 31st, 2008

La Catrina

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Eneas

at 22:15 on October 31st, 2008

I truly believe "Day of the Dead" is one of the most exciting celebrations in Mexico. At least, it is my personal fav (even more than Christmas or Independence Day).
It's got elements from the prehispanic and the european cultures mixed in a very beautiful tradition.
Some people say it's being attacked and sterilized by nordic traditions such as Halloween... But I say that's not true. it's so deeply rooted in our cosmovision that it would hardly be afected by foreign traditions.
Curious fact: I don't know of a single person who doesn't like this celebration. You should come and try it for yourself.

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Eneas

at 22:16 on October 31st, 2008

By the way, the little girl of the photo is dressed as a little Marina, Malinalli or Malinche. Try and google her story, it's fascinating.

cinderella.girl63

at 10:01 on November 1st, 2008

This was taken at Disneyland...I went for Halloween but to my surprise they had a small set up with this Day of the dead lady, two alters, and a band of skellies.

cinderella.girl63 has contributed a photo to this story.

Willowfan

at 09:16 on November 2nd, 2008

This has become one of my favorite holidays. I love that it is a somber yet festive celebration and gives us a way to honor and celebrate those who are no longer here. This event helps us understand that life and death are both part of the same wheel and it is this cycle that makes our time here with our loved ones so very special. My picture was taken in San Francisco at the Mission Cultural Center last year. I can't wait for the event tonight and will be sure to have more photos to share. I wanted to correct part of this article one of the elements of this holiday is not "candied skulls" they are skulls made of pressed sugar and decorated. Other important elements are Marigolds or CEMPAZUCHIL and pan de muerto , (Bread of the Dead or Day of the Dead Bread). Thank you for for including my photo

Walter Thomas Robertson

at 11:15 on November 2nd, 2008

For the last several years the famous Los Angeles cemetery "Hollywood Forever" has hosted one of the largest "Day of the Dead" festivals in the United States.

This venue invites people of all nationalities to participate in creating alters for dear departed loved ones.

At this event there is a multitude of entertainers, musicians and dancers and the best of wonderful Mexican foods.

I have been documenting this event every year - Walter Thomas Robertson, Photographer.

Walter Thomas Robertson has contributed a photo to this story.

deborah_hirsch

at 16:35 on November 2nd, 2008

I was lucky enough to be studying in Mexico during Dia de Los Muertos. One of my teachers bought us personalized sugar skulls and showed us how to make papel picado for our own ofrenda.

deborah_hirsch has contributed a photo to this story.

jal25

at 16:42 on November 3rd, 2008

My photo shows a Day of the Dead shrine in our youth hostel in Guadalajara.

jal25 has contributed a photo to this story.

panzerlawyer

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 22:52 on November 3rd, 2008

josiemitchell, I like this story. It's good stuff.

edwardgraf

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 10:53 on November 4th, 2008

josiemitchell, I like this story. It's good stuff.

edwardgraf

at 10:54 on November 4th, 2008

Thanks for contact me

caj1

at 21:07 on November 5th, 2008

For me, this year's celebration of Day of the Dead was kind of "lost in the shuffle"-- between the Phillies winning the World Series last week, and Barack Obama winning the presidential election yesterday. In other words, in any other year in Philadelphia, I think we would be celebrating "All Soul's Day" or "Dia de los Muertos," un poco mas. Thanks though, I like the photos! Que te vayas bien!