Day of the Dead, or Da de los Muertos, is a traditional Mexican holiday that honors and celebrates the lives of loved ones who have died. The holiday is usually marked on November 1st and 2nd, the Catholic holidays of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.
Families and friends gather to make altars in their homes and public places during this time. These ofrendas are decorated with flowers, candles, and other things like pictures, food, and drinks that the person who died liked to eat and drink while they were alive. The goal of the ofrendas is to welcome the spirits of the dead back into the world of the living for a short time and to give them comfort and food for their journey.
People also visit cemeteries to clean and beautify the graves of their loved ones, as well as to make ofrendas. Families often spend the night at the graveyard, discussing the dead, remembering them, and honoring their lives with music, food, and other gifts.
The Day of the Dead is a happy celebration of life and death, an essential part of Mexican culture and customs. Families and communities gather to honour their ancestors and enjoy the cycle of life and death.
Events of the Day of the Dead in Mexico
Day of the Dead, or Da de los Muertos, is a holiday in Mexico that lasts several days and includes many different events and customs. Here are some of the most important things that happen at this time:
Building Altars
- Photos of the deceased: One of the essential elements of the altar is a photo or photos of the honored person. This helps to bring their spirit back to the world of the living and to serve as a reminder of their life and legacy.
- Marigold flowers -Marigold flowers, called cempaschil in Spanish, are used to decorate the altar and are thought to help the souls of the dead find their way back to their families.
- Candles – Candles are used to help guide the souls of the dead back to the world of the living by lighting their way.
- Food and drinks -People often put their favorite foods and beverages on the altar because they think the person’s spirit will return to enjoy the food.
- Sugar skulls -Sugar skulls are pretty, colorful decorations that can be eaten. They are often put on the altar. They have bright colors and designs, and sometimes the name of the person who died is written on the face.
- Papel picado -Papel picado is a type of paper decoration cut into intricate patterns and hung on the altar or in the house. It’s a beautiful way to prepare for the party and feels festive.
- Personal belongings – On the table, you can also put other things that belonged to the person who died, like clothes or something they liked.
Visiting Cemeteries
A big part of the Day of the Dead celebrations in Mexico is going to graves to honor the dead. Families clean and beautify the graves of their loved ones with flowers, candles, and other gifts. This is done to show that the dead are still loved and honored and to honor them.
People, music, and the smell of traditional foods fill graves on the Day of the Dead. Families gather to talk about their loved ones and share stories and memories. Some families will hold a vigil all night long at the graveyard, where they will light candles and share food.
During the Day of the Dead, the mood in the graveyard differs from at other times of the year. It is not a sad time but rather a time of joy. Even though they are remembering their loved ones who have died, people are laughing and having a good time.
Mexico has a long-standing custom of going to cemeteries on the Day of the Dead. This is seen as a way to keep in touch with the dead. It is a reminder that death is a natural part of life and that the memory of those who have died should be honored and treasured.
La Catrina Parade
The Day of the Dead celebrations in Mexico starts on November 1, when the annual La Catrina Parade occurs. The parade is named after La Catrina, a well-known person in Mexican culture who is often shown as a well-dressed skeleton and stands for death.
The parade is a colorful and lively event with giant floats, marching bands, traditional dancers, and people dressed in elaborate costumes and makeup for the Day of the Dead. The floats are often decorated with flowers, candles, and other things to make them look pretty. They often show scenes from Mexican culture and history.
At the parade, people wear traditional Mexican clothes like sombreros, ponchos, and dresses with embroidery. They also wear face paint and makeup resembling a traditional Day of the Dead decoration called a “sugar skull.”
The La Catrina Parade is a well-loved Mexican event that has become popular among tourists recently. It’s just one of the many bright and colorful things that happen in Mexico on the Day of the Dead.
Calaveras Literarias
Calaveras Literarias are a type of written statement often done in Mexico on the Day of the Dead. In Spanish, “calavera” means “skull,” and “Calaveras Literarias” are songs that use death as a person and are intended to be funny or sarcastic.
Most calaveras literarias are short songs usually written in pairs that rhyme. They usually have a funny message that makes fun of death or the remembered person. The poems are meant to be both funny and make you think. They often use wordplay or jokes.
During Day of the Dead celebrations, Calaveras Literarias are read aloud, often in public squares or private parties. Sometimes they are written ahead of time and shared with family and friends. They are usually made up on the spot as part of the celebration.
Traditional Foods
Day of the Dead events in Mexico includes a lot of traditional foods. People often make these foods in honor of the dead, and it is thought that they feed the souls of the dead when they return to the world of the living. Some of the most famous traditional foods eaten on Day of the Dead are listed below:
Pan de Muerto – This sweet bread is baked and then covered with dough that looks like bones. Anise and orange zest are often used to flavor the bread.
Calaveras de Azúcar – Sugar skulls like these are often left on altars as gifts for the dead. Bright colors are used to decorate them, and the name of the person who died is usually written on them.
Tamales -People often leave gifts for the dead on shrines, like these sugar skulls. They are usually painted in bright colors and have the name of the person who died written on them.
Atole is a classic Mexican hot drink made from masa, water or milk, and sweeteners like cinnamon and sugar. Often, it is served with “bread of the dead.”
Mole is a complicated sauce made with chili peppers, spices, and chocolate. It is a typical Day of the Dead dish served with chicken or pork.
Chocolate –During the Day of the Dead, people often drink chocolate. Usually, ground cocoa beans are mixed with sugar, cinnamon, and other spices to make it.
Music and Dance
Music and dance are essential to Mexico’s Day of the Dead celebrations. Here are some of the most popular types of holiday dances and songs:
Mariachi Music -Mariachi music is a type of traditional music that comes from Mexico. It is often played at Day of the Dead parties, and you can hear trumpets, violins, and guitars in it.
Danzón -Danzón is a type of dance that started in Cuba but has become popular in Mexico. It’s a slow, classy dance that couples often do together.
La Danza de los Viejitos -The Dance of the Old Men, or La Danza de los Viejitos, is a traditional dance from the Mexican state of Michoacán. It is danced by people dressed as older men and wearing masks. It is meant to honour the circle of life and death.
La Danza de los Tecuanes -The Dance of the Jaguars, or La Danza de los Tecuanes, is a traditional dance from Guerrero. It is done by dancers wearing masks and costumes of jaguars, and it is meant to show the balance between people and nature.
La Danza de los Quetzales – The Dance of the Quetzals, also called “La Danza de los Quetzales,” is an indigenous dance from Chiapas. It is danced by people wearing feathered headdresses and costumes and is meant to honor the sacred quetzal bird to the old Maya.
Conclusion
The Day of the Dead is an important cultural holiday in Mexico that honors loved ones who have died and celebrates the cycle of life and death. The Day of the Dead is a unique and colorful holiday that shows Mexico’s rich cultural history and emphasizes how important it is to remember and honor those who have died. It is a time for reflection, joy, and getting together with other people, and it is still a big part of Mexican culture.
Happy Travels!
