DAY OF THE DEAD
Day of the Dead is originated centuries ago
in Mexico, where it is still widely celebrated to this day. The holiday is a
blend of pre-Hispanic indigenous beliefs and Spanish Catholic beliefs.
Day of the Dead
is celebrated throughout Mexico. Many other countries around the world
celebrate similar versions of Day of the Dead as well, by having special days
for honoring the dead. These celebrations occur in various countries in Central
and South America, Europe and Asia, where they celebrate the holiday according
to their own local customs.
Day of the Dead
has also taken hold in areas with a high Mexican immigrant population,
particularly in California, Texas, Arizona and other parts of the United
States.
Many people
around the world, even if they are not directly connected to Mexican culture,
are drawn to the concept and imagery of Mexico's Day of the Dead, so the
holiday seems to continually gain in popularity as more people learn about it.
This day is a
holiday for remembering and honoring those who have passed. It is a festive,
joyous time of celebration. Day of the Dead is Mexico's most important holiday,
which means they invest a lot of time and money into celebrating.
Day of the
Dead is on November 1st and 2nd of each year, coinciding with the Catholic
holidays All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day.
Although
November 2nd is the official date for Day of the Dead, it is celebrated between
October 31st and November 2nd. Usually the preparations (and some festivities)
start even earlier than that. So really, the "Day" of the Dead can
also be called the "Days" of the Dead, because the holiday spans more
than one day.
Traditionally,
November 1 is the day for honoring dead children and infants, and November 2 is
the day for honoring deceased adults.
WHERE IS DAY OF THE DEAD
CELEBRATED?
Day of the
Dead is celebrated in both public and private spaces. It is most often
celebrated in homes and graveyards.
- In homes, people
create altars to
honor their deceased loved ones. In some places it is common to allow
guests to enter the house to view the altar.
- In graveyards,
families clean the graves of their loved ones, which they then
decorate with flowers, photos, candles, foods and drinks. People stay up
all night in the graveyards, socializing and telling funny stories about their dead ancestors. Musicians
are hired to stroll through the graveyard, playing the favorite songs of
the dead.
In the public
sphere, Day of the Dead celebrations can also take the form of street parties,
parades, and festivals on university campuses.
People celebrate
this day to honor their deceased loves ones. It is a loving ritual, full of joy
and remembrance.
Day of the Dead
allows the dead to live again. During this time it is believed that the
deceased return to their earthly homes to visit and rejoice with their loved
ones.
Most people
celebrate Day of the Dead out of love and commitment to their loved ones, but
some people celebrate this holiday out of fear! Mexico is rampant with folk
tales that tell what happens if someone neglects their ancestors on Day of the
dead. If a spirit returns to find that no one has built an altar for them, or
that their loved ones only left them paltry offerings, they will feel sad and
angry especially when they see what bounteous offerings other spirits
received!
Neglected
spirits may seek vengeance on those who have forgotten them. Additionally, many
folk tales describe how those who ignore their deceased loved ones fall
immediately ill and even meet their death shortly after the holiday.
So you see,
there are some people in Mexico who participate in this day out of fear and
superstition instead of love!
The most common ways of celebrating Day of the Dead
in Mexico include:
- Cleaning and decorating graves
- Setting up an altar with offerings
- Holding all-night graveside vigils
- Telling stories about the deceased
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