Learn about Day of the Dead

Day of the Dead: Día de los Muertos

To see an actual ofrenda, go to Mexico Lindo in Squirrel Hill this Friday and Saturday from 5-8.   http://www.mexicolindo.biz/

 It’s a common misconception that Day of the Dead is the Mexican version of Halloween; they both occur at the end of October and skeletons are used in both celebrations. But Day of the Dead has nothing to do with our tradition of going door to door for candy. To appreciate Day of the Dead you have to understand the role that death plays in Mexican culture. Unlike in the U.S. where death is feared and often a taboo not to be discussed, Mexicans understand that death is part of life and the two are intertwined.  

 The belief is that during the Day of the Dead the spirits of the departed return to earth to visit their families. There is only this one day every year for the deceased and the living to be reunited, therefore it is an event to be celebrated with music, food and special decorations.

 Preparation for Day of the Dead begins well in advance of the celebration. Family members go to the cemeteries to clean the gravesites, even giving the tombs a fresh coat of paint if needed. Everything must look its best when the spirits return. At home every family constructs ofrendas, altars honoring the deceased loved ones. The ofrendas are very important, because it is the opportunity to provide the spirits with the things they loved to consume in life but are unavailable in the afterlife. You may see ofrendas with cigarettes, bottles of Coca-Cola or beer, fruit and other favorite food of the deceased. There are usually photographs of the person, as well as anything else they enjoyed in life: musical instruments, books, cooking implements, anything that is representative of the person’s life. Traditionally ofrendas include incense, chrysanthemum petals, tall white candles, and often pan de muerto, special sweet bread made for this occasion.

 Spending the night in a cemetery may seem very strange to those of us from North America, but on this particular day it is the tradition. Whole families gather so they do not disappoint the returning spirits. Because it is a celebration there are bands playing music, kids entertain themselves playing games, and vendors sell tamales.

 We often forget that Mexico is a large country, and Day of the Dead celebrations vary from region to region. I haven’t had the opportunity to visit a cemetery on Day of the Dead, but I have been fortunate enough to be in Mexico at this time of year. One October we were in Puebla , and the zócalo (town square) was ringed with beautiful ofrendas of every size and shape. When the candles were lit after dark it was a beautiful sight, all of the altars warmed by the soft glow of the candles. The adjacent government building had a large ofrenda in the lobby, decorated with small skeletons representing citizens who had passed away. On the floor in front of the ofrenda was a carpet made of golden chrysanthemum petals and colored saw dust. There was a referential hush as people walked amongst the ofrendas, reading loving tributes written by family members. I felt very privileged to share their personal memories on this very special night.

 The photos above are from Puebla. See other photos at my website:

   http://www.laprofesoraspanish.com/

For more information and photos:

 http://spanish.about.com/cs/culture/a/dayofdead.htm?nl=1

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Day_of_the_Dead