Dia de Los Muertos is a popular Mexican celebration that honors and celebrates the lives of ancestors. The ritual is celebrated during the first days of November although some celebrate it as early as October 28. The festivity is considered by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, and is held by Mexicans as a symbol of their national identity.
“We don’t celebrate Halloween here. We are not Americans, we are Mexicans and we celebrate our dead. Our culture is already rich enough in Michoacán and in Mexico,” Ascencio said as he prepared the cempasúchil garlands.
Starting on October 31st, and the following three days, people all over Mexico gather to celebrate their loved ones who have passed on. This celebration is called Día de Los Muertos; a holiday that the people of Mexico have been celebrating since pre-Hispanic times. This long lasting tradition shapes Mexican culture and is widely celebrated throughout Mexico and other parts of the world where Mexican culture has made an impact.
The origins of this tradition predate the arrival of the Spanish.
For the ancient Mexicans, death was the beginning of a journey towards Mictlán, the kingdom of the dead. In pre-Hispanic times, the deceased were buried wrapped in a petate and their relatives organized a party to guide them on their journey to Mictlán. As part of the ceremony, relatives made food to feed the deceased as they traveled to Mictlán.
During pre-Hispanic times, this festivity was commemorated on the ninth month of the solar calendar, which began in August and lasted 30 days.
Indigenous Vision
The Día de Los Muertos in the indigenous vision “implies the transitory return of the souls of the deceased,” describes the Gobierno de Mexico. They return home to the world of the living to visit with relatives and to be nourished by favorite foods offered to them in the altars set up in their honor.
To learn more about Día de Los Muertos and Pueblos Indigenas of Mexico, check out: Antologia-Dia-de-Muertos-Pueblos-indigenas-de-Mexico-inpi
Fusion
With the arrival of the Spaniards, the festivities blended Catholic religious rituals with the indigenous celebration.
“They are a cultural mix where the Europeans put some flowers, waxes, candles and candlesticks; and the indigenous people added the incense with their copal, the food and the cempasúchil flower,” explains Cronica de Mexico.
“The ancient Mexicas, Mixtecs, Texcocans, Zapotecs, Tlaxcalans, Totonacs and other native peoples of our country transferred the veneration of their dead to the Christian calendar, which coincided with the end of the agricultural cycle of corn, the main food crop in the country,” details the Gobierno de Mexico.
Día de Los Muertos
Many people in the U.S. think that Día de Los Muertos is Mexico’s equivalent of Halloween. However, they are not the same. Día de Los Muertos “has resisted and coexisted with the celebration of Halloween.”
The Mexican celebration “reminds us how finite we are; however, it also teaches us that death is part of life and we should celebrate it,” tells Mexico Desconocido.
Days and their Meaning
According to tradition, the deceased visit their relatives over the span of these three days. For some, the festivities are celebrated as follows: The first day of November is dedicated to those who died as children and the 2nd to those who died as adults. Also on October 28, those who died as a result of an accident; while on the 30th of the same month the celebration focuses on children who died without receiving baptism.
Dia de los Muertos & Mascotas
In Mexico, some families commemorate their deceased pets before the Dia de los Muertos. According to tradition, this celebration takes place the night of October 27, when it is believed that the souls of the “lomitos” (dogs) or “michis” (cats) visit their homes during the early hours of October 28.
Ofrendas
Every year, many families place offerings and set up altars decorated with cempasúchil flowers, chopped paper, sugar skulls, pan de muerto, mole or some favorite dish the deceased relative used to enjoy.
The ofrendas are placed on a table with two levels that symbolize heaven and earth. If there are three, purgatory is added. The largest are seven levels and represent the steps to eternal rest.
Altar
The Día de Los Muertos altar is made up of elements that hold valuable meaning. Some say, the traditional elements are the most important parts of the celebration of the dead. It is believed, the souls return to enjoy the dishes, to taste the fruit and to contemplate the cempasuchil flower that is offered to them. In this way, the living and the dead meet again.
Pan de Muerto
Currently in Mexico there are a large number of ways to prepare this delicacy, for example, in Puebla sesame is added to the bread; in CDMX it is customary to see them covered in sugar or filled with chocolate; and in Oaxaca you will find a yema bread decorated with alfeñique, describes El Universal de Mexico.
Its circular shape refers to the cycle of life and death that each human being goes through, in the center of the bread the “ball” symbolizes the skull of the deceased, the cross strips represent the bones with which we are formed and also, they refer to the tears of the deceased. In some regions of the country, essence of orange blossom is added to the bread of the dead, to symbolize the memory of the deceased.
Water
Water is offered as a reflection of purity. It helps quench the thirst of the soul that comes from a long way and also strengthens its return.
Cempasuchil
The “cempasuchil” or “marigold” flower is a traditional flower used during the celebration of Día de Los Muertos. It is used to decorate the ofrendas and graves of loved ones and is said to act as a path for the dead to follow back to Earth. The brilliant orange and pink of the petals make for a beautiful display.
Arch
It is decorated with cempasuchil flower and fruit; represents the entrance to the underworld.
Cross
This element was introduced during the evangelization period. It is placed in the upper part of the altar; sometimes it is formed with ash; others with salt or cempasuchil petals.
Velas
The candles are used as light and warmth to guide the deceased to the tombs. In some indigenous communities each candle represents a deceased. If the candles have a purple motif, it means mourning. If they are placed in the form of a cross, it implies the four cardinal points that guide the soul’s path to its home.
The candles add another natural element to the ofrendas and look beautiful as they burn awaiting the return of departed.
Incense
The fragrance cleanses and purifies the environment. It is believed the scent drives away evil spirits. Copal is a pre-Hispanic element that cleanses and purifies the energies of a place and those of those who use it.
Petate
In some homes, it is used as a tablecloth where the ofrendas are placed.
Mole
Some relatives cook delicious, aromatic foods to guide the souls back home. Mexico is a country with a very rich culinary tradition. During the days when Dia de los Muertos is celebrated, each community shows off its gastronomy by preparing delicious typical dishes. One of the dishes is mole in all its presentations: black mole, mole poblano, green mole, yellow mole, among many other varieties.
Calaveritas de Azucar
The skulls are one of the most representative elements of the Dia de los Muertos offerings. On many occasions skulls are bought to give to friends and family as a symbol of friendship and as a reminder of the Day of the Dead.
The calaveritas’ origin comes from Mesoamerican cultures:
“Death, for the ancient Mesoamericans, was only the conclusion of a stage of life that extended to another level. In practice, it was common to keep skulls and show them during rituals that symbolized the end of that cycle,” details the Gobierno de Mexico.
Izcuintle
This figure represents a companion of souls who helps them cross the mighty Chiconauhuapan River, the last step to reach Mictlán.
Salt
Salt is included in the ceremony and is seen as a purifying element.
Confetti
An indispensable element in Mexican celebrations, confetti beautifies the altars.
Photos
Some families place photos of their loved ones on the altars. Other communities hide the image so that it can only be seen through a mirror, implying they can be seen but don’t exist in this realm. Others prefer not to display photos.
Finally, food is placed on the ofrendas so the souls can enjoy a meal after their journey back to Earth. After the few days of celebration people will try the food left out to see if there is still flavor. If there is no flavor the visiting souls have enjoyed their offerings left by their loved ones.
Tombs
The tombs are decorated not only with flowers but other brightly colored plants. This is intended to attract the souls. Socially, during the few days of Dia de Los Muertos, people exchange fun rhymes called “calaveritas.” These rhymes have a bit of humor in them so they lighten the mood and add a component of fun.
Arocutín
A small community in Mexico named Arocutín is one a few places where church bells are rung all night to help guide the souls back to their loved ones. In Arocutín the people in the community stay up all night to eat food and celebrate with their loved ones who have come back to visit.
“This is a special day, a very beautiful day,” said Elizabeth Ascencio. “We go to great lengths to welcome our dead.”
Día de Los Muertos is a beautiful holiday that has been celebrated throughout Mexico for centuries. Whether you are practicing a religion of your own or enjoy Mexican culture you too can take the steps to create an ofrenda and welcome the souls of your loved ones back for a few nights to celebrate with you. Here’s how to create your own at home!
Claire Castrejon | Latin American Correspondent
My name is Claire Castrejon and I am currently studying Spanish Communities and Cultures at UCLA. I am working as a Latin American Correspondent because I want to bridge the gap between the US and Latin America bringing awareness to the social, political, educational or climate issues in Latin America. I want to bring awareness of the light that comes from the darkness of certain situations and help people understand that supporting countries and people in Latin American countries is important.
