In North America we celebrate Halloween on the 31st of October but in Central America they celebrate a Spanish festival on November 1st and 2nd, “Día de los Muertos” or the Day of the Dead. This holiday is a time to remember and pray for friends and family who have died.
The Day of the Day actually takes place over two days. November 1st is All Saints Day (or "Día de los Inocentes" Day of the Innocents or "Día de los Angelitos" Day of the Little Angels) and November 2nd is All Souls Day ("Día de los Muertos" or "Día de los Difuntos" Day of the Dead). Celebrated mainly in Mexico, The Day of the Dead is a special time for feasts, street parades and candlelit vigils.
Adapted from ancient traditions and customs to conform to Catholic beliefs, the Day of the Dead has historical roots in Mesoamerica culture.
Families visit the cemetery to honor and remember their dead relatives. The souls of the departed are said to return to visit with the living during this time. Families bring favorite foods, beverages, photos and other offerings to share with the deceased. Flowers and candles are placed on the grave to help guide the spirits back to visit with their loved ones.
Traditions vary from place to place but popular symbols are the skull (calavera) and skeletons (calacas). Sugared skulls, with the name of the deceased inscribed on the forehead are common. As are orange marigolds ("Flor de Muerto" Flower of the Dead) and other food offerings such as candied pumpkins, and pan de muerto ("bread of the dead") a sweet egg bread formed into the shape of a mummy or a round loaf decorated with bread “bones”.
Family members build private alters either at home or in the cemetery. They clean and decorate graves, make food offerings and some even spend all night at the graveside of deceased relatives. On both nights, children dress in costumes and masks and parade through the streets carrying pumpkin lanterns and mock coffins while bystanders drop money into them.
The two best places in Mexico to celebrate the Day of the Dead are Patzcuaro and Oaxaca. Patzcuaro, located just north of Mexico City on Lake Janitzio has a tradition of using “butterfly” nets made by the local fisherman while in Oaxaco, located southwest of Mexico city the festival lasts for a week. The city cemeteries are open for candle light night vigils and there are street parades to celebrate the dead.
The Day of the Dead is also celebrated in American cities with large Hispanic populations.
If you are planning on traveling to Mexico at the beginning of November, make sure you visit a cemetery or participate in one of the many celebrations that are held across the country during this time of remembrance. Who knows, you just might run into one of your dearly departed loves ones who has come back to say hello.
