An ancient Aztec celebration in memory of deceased
ancestors, Dia de la Muertos (Day of the Dead) is celebrated on November 1 and
2. It is believed that on October 31, the gates of heaven are opened and the
spirits of all deceased children are allowed to be reunited with their families
for 24 hours. On November 2, the spirits of the adults come to enjoy the
festivities. While celebrated throughout Latin America, it is especially
popular in Mexico,
where it is a national holiday.
Though the subject matter may be considered morbid from the
perspective of some other cultures, Mexicans celebrate the Day of the Dead
joyfully. Even with its proximity to Halloween,
the traditional mood is much brighter with an emphasis on celebrating and
honoring the lives of the deceased, and celebrating the continuation of life.
The belief is not that death is the end, but rather the beginning of a new
stage in life.
The origins of the Day of the Dead celebrations in Mexico
can be traced back to the indigenous peoples of the area, such as the Aztec, Maya, P'urhépecha, Nahua, and Totonac. Rituals celebrating the
lives of ancestors have been observed by these civilizations for at least the
last 3000 years.
Plans for the festival are made throughout the year,
including gathering the goods to be offered to the dead. During the period of October 31 and November 2, families usually clean and
decorate the graves. Most visit the cemeteries where their loved ones are
buried and decorate their graves with ofrendas,
or offerings, which often include orange marigold called Flor de Muerto, or zempoalxochitl,
Nahuatl
for "twenty-flower.” Toys are brought for dead children (los angelitos, or little angels), and
bottles of tequila, mezcal, pulque or atole for adults. Families will also
offer trinkets or the deceased favorite candies on the grave. Ofrendas (altars) are also put in homes.
Customs very from town to town and by region and country. In
Brazil and El Salvador, on November 2, people go to church and visit cemeteries
where they clean their ancestors graves and leave flowers. On November 1 in
Guatemala the festival is a colorful
and lively celebration for which extravagant kites (barriletes gigantes) are
built and flown high above the cemeteries as a symbolic link between the living
and the dead.
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