Dia De Los Muertos

by Angelica Carrillo Hernandez

Day of the Dead (Dia De Los Muertos) is a two day holiday that reunites the living and dead. Families create ofrendas (Offerings) to honor their departed family members that have passed. These altars are decorated with bright yellow marigold flowers, photos of the departed, and the favorite foods and drinks of the one being honored. The offerings are believed to encourage visits from the land of the dead as the departed souls hear their prayers, smell their foods and join in the celebrations!

Day of the Dead is a rare holiday for celebrating death and life. It is unlike any holiday where mourning is exchanged for celebration.

When is the Day of the Dead? Nov 1st, 12am Dia de los Angelitos - Spirits of the children

Dia de los Angelitos (Day of the little angels) starts the holiday at midnight on Nov 1st, where the spirits of all deceased children are believed to be reunited with their families for 24 hours. Families construct an altar, known as an ofrenda, with the departed child’s favorite snacks, candies, toys, and photographs to encourage a visit from their departed children. The names of the departed children will often be written on a sugar skull. Nov 2nd, 12am Día de los Difuntos - Spirits of the adults At midnight of the following day (November 2nd), the celebrations shift to honor the lives of the departed adults. The night is filled with laughter and fun memories, much like the night before. However, the Ofrendas take on a more adult-like theme with tequila, pan de muerto, mezcal, pulque and jars of Atole. Families will also play games together, reminisce about their loved ones, and dance while the village band plays in their town. Nov 2nd, Noon Día de los Muertos - Spirits of all the dead.

The next day is the grand finale and public celebration of Dia de Muertos. In more recent times, people come together in their cities, dressed up with Calavera painted faces (Skeletons) and have parades in the streets. Cemetery visits are also common on the last day as families will go to decorate the grave sites with Marigold flowers, gifts, and sugar skulls with the departed’s name on them. It’s customary to clean the grave stone and restore the color.

What is an Altar?

Day of the Dead altars known as altares de muertos or ofrendas are set during the Day of the Dead celebrations on November 1 and 2 to honor the dead children and adults. The Day of the Dead altars are the most prominent feature in the celebration because they show the souls the way to their home.Day of the Dead altars are set with different elements depending on the region; these differences are established by the availability, seasonal flowers and fruits and the traditional food from the area. Other elements are shared everywhere in the country.

Most altars would include some or all of these elements:

Picture A picture of the evoked relative is placed in the altar to make him present and revive his image.

Flowers The altar is decorated with fresh flowers as it is believed that their scent will make the returning souls feel welcomed and happy. The flowers used to decorate the altars are known as Day of the Dead Flowers, and their use depends on local costumes, local availability and financial capacity.

The cempasuchil or flor de muertos (flower of the dead) is one of the most used flowers during the celebration ; in some places its petals are set to make a path from the house door to the altar thus showing the way to the returning souls.

Different Levels In some areas altars are made with two levels that symbolize heaven and earth; in others they are made with three levels for heaven, purgatory and earth; and there are places where altars with seven levels are placed, each of these levels represents the steps a soul has to make to get to heaven.

An Arch Symbolizes the entrance to the world of the dead. In the places where it's set it can be made with cempasuchil flowers like in Michoacán State, or of reed like in Puebla State.

Chiseled Paper The papel picado or chiseled paper are paper flags chiseled with saints' figures or skulls and skeletons that are placed like a table cloth in the altar. To some people they represent the element air for the way they move. Day of the

Dead Bread Day of the dead bread or pan de muertos is different in every region of the country and one of the most important elements in the altar as it is a fraternal offering to the souls in the catholic sense.

Candy Skulls Sugar, chocolate or amaranth seed skulls represent death and its every moment presence.

Candies Alfeñique (almonds paste) fruits, donkeys, angels and skeletons and all kinds of homemade candies are set to treat the children's souls. Food Every region in Mexico has a special dish that is considered the most festive and tasty and it's usually the main food offered in the altar. Spirited Drinks Tequila, mezcal and pulque (fermented agave juice) are offered to the adult souls so they can relax and enjoy with their family. If the honored one smoked a pack of cigarettes is then set in the altar.

Candles Candles show the souls their way to the altar and back to the dead world; they symbolize the light, hope and faith. The number of candles in the altar depends on the local tradition, in some regions a candle is set for each honored soul.

Religious Elements The most common are crucifixes and Virgin Mary and patron saint images.

Water A glass of water is set in the altar to calm the souls' thirst after their long journey.

Salt A small plate with salt is set in the altar as a purifier element.

Personal Objects In some areas the honored tools, clothing or toys are added to the offering to make him feel at home.

Ornaments Candle holders, incense burners, papier mache or clay figurines such as skulls or skeletons doing a certain activity or animals. In some areas a clay xoloitzcuintli dog is set in the altar to make the children's souls feel good on their arrival to the feast. The souls will only take the essence out of the food and drinks so at the end of the celebration or in some places during the event, the family will gather and eat and drink the offered goodies and often share them with the community members.