El Día de los Muertos
The Basics El Día de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead, is an annual celebration to honor the spirits of the dead, observed in Mexico, parts of the United States, and in many Central and South American countries on November 1 and 2. El Dia de los Muertos coincides with the All Souls' Day, a Roman Catholic holiday that honors the deceased so they might rest in peace. According to popular belief, on this day the spirits of the dead return to commune with the living. Day of the Dead celebrations in Mexico often involve visits to cemeteries, where families leave ofrendas (offerings) for deceased loved ones, and elaborate masks and skeletons, which are placed on altars or worn in ceremonies.
Roots This holiday has its roots in the Olmec, Toltec, and Aztec cultures, which all had rituals to honor their deceased ancestors. The Aztecs believed in deities who symbolized and personified death. Many pre-columbian cultures believed in an afterlife or the spirit s existence after death.
Traditions Most Day of the Dead activities take place in the home Paths of flower petals and burning incense lead spirits to the houses of their living relatives.
Food Special loaves of bread known as hojaldra or pan de muerto are baked for the holiday and are often offerings to the spirits. Other food offerings are dishes the deceased person enjoyed in life.
Ofrendas The ofrenda (offering) is decorated with flowers, especially cempasúchil (flower of the dead) and the mano de león (lion s paw). Arches of palm leaves and banners of tissue paper cut into intricate designs called papel picado hang above the ofrenda. Many families construct ofrendas heaped with gifts of food and drink for the spirits of the dead.
More Food After the spirits have been given an opportunity to partake of the offerings, the celebrants eat the food. Leftover food is placed on the graves of dead relatives or distributed to living relatives and other members of the community. Ill fortune, such as sickness or death, may befall those who do not make offerings.
Skulls In some areas, especially in Mexico City, many celebrants construct papier-mâché skeletons and skulls. These are often arranged in tableaus that tell a story, sometimes a social or political satire. Skulls made from sugar are also common. Ofrenda competitions and Day of the Dead dances have become increasingly popular.
Altar o Anticipating visits by the spirits of their deceased relatives and ancestors, family members construct altars in their homes. o The act of preparing an altar by placing photographs, flowers, candles, and favorite food and drink of the loved one provides a special time to remember, and to transform grief into acceptance. o Some families prepare the altar of offerings at the family grave site, lighting a candle for each deceased family member, and placing flowers at the cemetery.
Calacas o Hand-crafted skeletons that are funny and friendly rather than frightening or spooky. o They represent the deceased loved ones, their occupations, and their hobbies. o As they are placed on the altar, the delightful skeleton figures bring back fond memories and cause the grieving ones to smile.
Calaveritas de Azúcar o A calavera is a type of traditional treat used on the Dia de los Muertos altar. o They are primarily made of sugar and are shaped in the image of skulls usually with colorful designs. o Many families have their own traditions for the calaveras, for example, in Mexican and Mexican-American families, it is traditional for each member of the family to have a sugar skull with their name in it. o Calavera means skull in Spanish.
Cempasúchil o Marigolds, symbolizing the brevity of life, are fashioned into garlands, wreaths, and crosses to decorate the altar and the grave. o In Aztec times it was called the cempasúchil, the flower of 400 lives. o The fragrance leads the spirits home. o Sometimes paths of the petals lead out of the cemetery and to the house to guide the spirits.
Copal o o o Copal is the resinous sap of a Mexican tree, burned as incense since the time of the Aztecs as an offering to the gods. The scent attracts spirits, drawing them home. Also used to cleanse the area and to ward off evil.
Pan de Muerto o Bread of the Dead o Often left as an offering on a family altar
Papel Picado o Colorful tissue paper, papel picado, is cut into intricate designs and strung to flutter over and around the altar. o Black - for the Pre-Hispanic religions and land of the dead o Purple - from the Catholic calendar to signify pain, suffering, grief, mourning o Pink -for celebration o White -for purity and hope o Yellow and Orange - for the marigold, the sun, light o Red- representing for Christians the blood of Jesus; and for the indigenous, the life blood of humans and animals
Altar Building Brainstorm some ideas for a person to whom you could dedicate an altar Then you will need: a photo of the person to whom you will devote your altar a few large cardboard boxes for the base some paper to cover the boxes papel picado (intricately cut tissue paper to string around the altar) candles (real or fake) flowers (real or tissue paper) offerings of food or drink skulls (paper, sugar, plastic, etc.)