Dia de los Muertos is perhaps the most popular holiday in Mexico, symbolized in the classic skull painting. While it’s look like a Halloween for foreigners, Dia de los Muertos has actually other meaning behind it. Let’s check out what does this tradition really represent!
Dia de los Muertos, The Day of the Death
In Mexico, there is a unique tradition to remember the dead that called as Day of the Death or famously known as Dia de los Muertos.
In contrast to most of the culture, while the family members will be mourning during the death date of someone they love, Mexican are actually celebrating it in the form of festival. It has similar concept with the Ma’nene tradition from Torajan, while the villagers are celebrating the life among the death.
The Lady of The Dead
The Day of the Death festival exist since 2,500 to 3,000 years ago while the origin villagers are celebrating the soul of the dead. The tradition was actually dedicated to a Goddess of Mictecacihuatl or also known as “The Lady of the Dead”.
The Aztecs and other Mesoamerican peoples do have a unique tradition of keeping skulls in their homes and will display the skulls during festival activities. The tradition of displaying the skull symbolizes death and rebirth.
Symbolize Life Guarantee After Death
Death has always played an important role in the procession of worshiping the gods and performing rituals in ancient Mexican civilization. The Aztecs believed that when a person died in childbirth, or as a sacrifice for others or died in battle, it was a blessing. They believe that people who die in these conditions will get the desired life guarantee after death.
However, when the Spanish Conquistadors arrived in Mexico, they considered the celebration impolite and changed the date of the celebration to coincide with the Christian holidays of All Saints’ Day and the Day of the Spirit which fall on November 1 and 2. The combination of European Catholic traditions and indigenous Mexican traditions eventually formed the current El Dia de Los Muertos celebration.
Now, El Dia de Los Muertos is celebrated every November 1 and 2 by Mexican, Central and South Americans and by Latinos living in parts of the United States and Canada to honor deceased relatives and friends.
November 1 is known as Dia de Los Angelitos and is dedicated to the memory of the spirits of children. Meanwhile, on November 2, it is called Dia de Los Difuntos to commemorate the spirits of adults.
The Altar Decoration
During the Dia de Los Muertos celebration, each family will make an altar decorated with various colorful trinkets ranging from photos, Aztec Marigolds (Mexican death flowers), calacas and calaveras (skeletons and skulls), skull-shaped candy, papel picado ( a kind of Mexican ornament), the deceased’s favorite foods, drinks, and items during the dead’s lifetime.
The celebration of Dia de Los Muertos is indeed identic with altars or commonly known as ofrendas. These altars were erected and decorated to honor deceased relatives. Mexicans believe that this celebration makes it easier for the souls of the dead to visit those who are still alive during the two days.
Not just that, Mexicans also believe that these spirits will come to eat and party with them during the festive day. During the celebrations, family members will offer prayers to the deceased in the hope that the dead will hear them.
During the festival, The Mexicans will also visit graves and place offerings on the graves of their relatives. They will also clean the tomb and decorate it with beautiful ornaments and light candles around the tomb. During night of the festive day, the atmosphere in the tomb actually looks very beautiful with thousands of lit candles.
Not only at homes and cemeteries, but the streets will also turn lively when Dia de Los Muertos festival is held. Everyone in the community will feast on ghost costume parades, art exhibitions, musical performances, and more.
Welcome Food For The Dead
The Mexican believes that the spirit might be hungry and thirsty after the long journey from the spirit world to the living world. Hence, the family usually will present the favorite food of their dead loved on the altar. The offering of the foods are usually consist of what the person enjoyed when they were still alive.
However, the most common meal in the altar offering is Pan de muerto, or also known as bread of the dead. In Mexico, Pan de muerto is usually presented at most of the bakeries and supermarkets by middle of October. Mexican honor the loved ones who passed away and leave them offerings at their gravesites or at altars made at home.
Mexicans do not see death as the end of life, but interpret it as the beginning of a new life. That’s why Dia de Los Muertos is performed in a cheerful and colorful celebratory setting.
