MEXICO CELEBRATES "Dia de los Muertos"

10-14-2008

Halloween is right around the corner. But, “Dia de Los Muertos” (Day of the Dead) is celebrated November 1^st and 2^nd. It is one of the most popular and fascinating cultural holidays that dates back thousands of years. This festival is celebrated in Mexico and among Mexican- Americans in the United States.

 

A little bit about the holiday:

While death is a largely avoided topic in the United States, in Mexico, the “El Dia de Los Muertos” is a fascinating holiday for visitors traveling abroad. With its mix of pre-Hispanic and Roman Catholic rituals, “El Dia de los Muertos” is an  illustration of the combination of pre-Hispanic and Spanish cultures that have come together  to define the country and its people.

Al though in the Unites States death is a sad moment when people grieve and mourn the loss of a loved one; for Mexicans, death is not the end of the road, yet an intermediate phase in the cycle of life. 

 

Día de los Muertos Traditions:

 

• People wear wooden skull masks called calacas and dance in honor of their deceased relatives
• Sugar skulls, made with the names of the dead person on the forehead, are eaten by a relative or friend
• Pictures of the deceased are placed on Dia de los Muertos altars with their favorite food and drink.
• Families often spend time at the cemetery with loved ones, bringing food and drink along with all the other necessities for a picnic.

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Fun Facts about the Altar…

 

• The altar includes four main elements of nature — earth, wind, water, and fire.

 

• Earth is represented by crop: The Mexicans believe the souls are fed by the aroma of food.

 

• Wind is represented by a moving object: Tissue paper is commonly used to represent wind.

 

• Water is placed in a container for the soul to quench its thirst after the long journey to the altar.

 

• Fire is represented by a wax candle: Each lit candle represents a soul, and an extra one is placed for the forgotten soul.

 

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