October 31 November 2

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October 31- November 2
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Day of the Dead

• Celebrated primarily in Mexico
• Event in which Mexicans remember and honor their
  deceased loved ones
• Its a celebration of life
• It is believed the souls return each year to
  enjoy the pleasures they once had in life
• Skulls and skeletons are the main symbols of the
  holiday
• Skeletons are often displayed hugging, marching,
  dancing and laughing

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History

• Origin Aztecs
• Lasted entire month
• Approximately the beginning of August
• Celebrated death
• The Aztecs believed life was a dream and only in
  death did one become truly awake
• Skulls were displayed
• Symbolized death and rebirth
• Honored the dead whom were believed to come back
  to visit during the month long ritual

• Spanish colonists considered ritual sacrilegious
• Attempted to stop the ritual by converting the
  indigenous people to Catholicism however the
  ritual persisted
• To be more Christian, the ritual was moved to
  coincide with All Saints Day and All Souls Day,
  which is Nov. 1 and 2.

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Superstition

• Mexican folktales say the dead spirits will get
  revenge on the living if they get poor treatment
  during these days each
• Leaving nothing (or inferior gifts) on the altar
  causes the spirits to be angry or sad
• Therefore, the living want to provide for the
  spirits the very best things they loved in life,
  the things made with the most love and the most
  care

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Altars

• In their homes, between Oct. 31st and Nov. 2nd (a
  time called "Todos Santos"), offerings of food
  and drink are prepared for the dead.
• Altars, or ofrendas, are decorated to welcome
  their ancestral spirits into their homes
• "Ofrendas" (offerings) are often set up in the
  home on an altar displaying portraits, personal
  goods, clothing, favorite foods, and possessions
  of the deceased family member.

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• Arch ? Represents passage between life and death
• Portraits ? Photo of the person(s) the altar is
  dedicated to placed in the top-center of altar
• Water ? source of life, symbolizes purity
• Believed to quench the thirst of the spirits
• Candles ? Flame guides the spirits

• Flowers ? Scent helps guide the spirits
• Fruit, bread and food ? placed as gifts for
  spirits
• Believed spirits consume the scents and essence
  of the foods
• Incense ? Burned to clear space of negative
  energy or bad spirits, and helps the dead to find
  their way

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La Ofrenda
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Cemeteries

• On Nov. 2nd, family members visit the gravesites
  of loved ones
• The gravesites are cleaned and decorated
• Marigold petals are scattered from the cemetery
  to the home to help the spirits find their way
• During this time, people remember, relive and
  enjoy.
• Families with often have picnics and make a party
  of the experience lasting through the night

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Flowers decorate a grave in the cemetery at the
Parroquia San Andres Apostal Church in Mixquic,
Mexico.
Fresh flowers are reminders of the impermanence
of life. Specifically, Marigolds are known as the
flowers of the dead its believed their scent
will attract the souls and draw them back
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The family can spend most of the night at the
cemetary
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Gifts

• For the returning souls, gifts and food will be
  set out for them
• Foods and gifts are set out depending on age
• It is believed that the souls of children,
  angelitos, return
• All the gifts are minature cups, plates, small
  breads, etc
• Adult dead are believed to return on Nov 1st
  they are given the most elaborate food and drinks

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Food

• Pan de los muertos ? bread of the dead
• Flat bread baked in the shape of skulls and
  crossbones
• Toy skeleton baked into the bread and its
  considered good luck to bite into the toy
• Candy is shape of skulls, skeletons and coffins
  and many favorite Mexican dishes (tamales, moles,
  chiles, enchiladas) are prepared also
• Represent the celebration of life

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Sugar skulls
Pan de los muertos
Sugar skulls are molded from a sugar paste, then
decorated with icing, glitter and foil, these
skulls often are placed on altars. The sugar
represents the sweetness of life, and the skull
represents the sadness of death.
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Markets

• Open air markets commonly sell symbolic goods
  associated with the Day of the Dead
• Special breads, flowers, pottery, baskets,
  candles, paper puppets, candy skulls, etc

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Open air market selling sugar skulls and bread of
the dead
A street vendor in Mixquic, Mexico prepares a
candy skull, decorated with seeds and chocolate
from the region.
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Rural vs. Urban

• The Day of Dead is celebrated differently in
  different areas of Mexico
• In urban areas, the day is less religious and is
  primarily a cultural event
• In rural areas, the Day of the Dead has a much
  greater religious connotation
• Much more important socially in southern Mexico
  than northern Mexico

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Day of the Dead vs. Halloween

• Similarities
• Origins lie in early cultures that later mixed
  with Christian beliefs
• Both based on idea that spirits return at this
  time of the year
• Differences
• Halloween typically portray spirits as being
  wicked and scary
• During the Day of the Dead, spirits are welcomed
• Halloween festivities are becoming more prevalent
  in Mexico

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References

• http//www.dayofthedead.com/
• http//www.azcentral.com/ent/dead/articles/dead-hi
  story.html
• http//teacherlink.ed.usu.edu/TLRESOURCES/units/By
  rnes-celebrations/Day.html