Traditional Mexican foods play a huge part in celebrations. They're decorated with elaborate cut-out patterns, that are said to allow souls to pass through.Īltars are also adorned with sentimental photographs, toys, marigolds, and skulls. Wind: Papel picado are vibrant delicate paper banners are strung.Earth: A variety of traditional foods are prepared to help nourish the dead.Water: Pitchers of water are left to quench their thirst while traveling to the Land of the Living.Fire: Candles are lit to help guide the spirits' journey.Ofrendas are decorated with offerings for the spirits that are meant to represent the four elements: fire, water, earth, and wind. Offerings to the dead are inspired by the four elements. Families gather at the site to eat, tell stories, and even clean the graves. To beckon spirits back into the Land of the Living for the festivities, revelers create makeshift altars, or ofrendas, at their homes and at the gravesites of their deceased loved ones. Want more stories to inspire you to live your best life? Sign up to become an Oprah Insider! Altars, or ofrendas, are the centerpiece of celebrations. The first day honors children who have passed, while the second celebrates adults. The holiday came to fall on November 1 and November 2 to align with All Saints Day and All Souls Day on the Catholic calendar. Día de los Muertos was originally celebrated in the summer months. Once the Spanish colonized Mexico in the 16th century, their own Catholic views on the dead influenced Mexican customs. This practice inspired the modern tradition of creating altars-known as ofrendas-at their homes, in addition to leaving offerings at the gravesites of loved ones.ĭía de los Muertos wasn't always celebrated in November. The living would provide supplies, such food and water, to aid them on the trek. In particular, the Nahua people of central Mexico believed the deceased traveled on a years-long journey to Chicunamictlán, the Land of the Dead. Roughly 3000 years ago, amongst the Aztec, Toltec, and Mayans, death and the dead were seen as a natural part of life that should be honored and celebrated, rather than mourned. Halloween has ancient Celtic roots, while Day of the Dead has its own origins that date back to the Indigenous people of Mexico and Central America.Īlfredo Martinez // Getty Images The holiday first began with the Aztecs. While Halloween and Day of the Dead occur nearly in tandem and share similar customs (candy, face painting, and community gathering), the two are not related. And at Guanajuato's University of Guanajuato, students create an altar (much-loved by photo-snapping tourists) that honors deceased scholars.ĭí a de los Muertos is not connected to Halloween. The people of La Huasteca Potosina indulge in day-long parties, while Aguascalientes' festival of skulls have near week-long celebrations that include their annual skeleton parade, Legends of Mexico. National Geographic identifies Michoacán as the place to go for foodies. Mexico City has held a boisterous parade since 2016, complete with entertainers in bold costume, music and dance, and floats. Though these traditions are universal, various regions across the country also have their own unique takes on how to honor the dead. The community looks at death as an opportunity for renewed life.ĭay of the Dead is celebrated with parades, festivals, and more across Mexico. Here's a look at the Day of the Dead's rich history, and some facts you might not have known about the Mexican holiday.ĭía de los Muertos is not a somber occasion.ĭuring the ancient Mexican holiday, it's believed that spirits of the dead momentarily return to the land of the living, for a brief reunion. It’s about joy and color and flavor and celebration, all the mixed emotions," James Beard Award-winning chef Pati Jinich adds."It’s a very Mexican thing to have extreme sadness with extreme joy at the same time." It’s not morbid, and it’s not about being spooky. "This tradition is rooted in the native Mexican belief that life on earth is a preparation for the next world and of the importance of maintaining a strong relationship with the dead," Juan Aguirre, Executive Director of the Mexican culture non-profit Mano a Mano tells Oprah Daily.īut what is at the heart of these beloved festivities? Here's a look at the Day of the Dead's rich history, and some facts you might not have known about the Mexican holiday. 15 Hispanic and Latinx Artists You Need to Follow.Hispanic Heritage Month Is Just Around the Corner.
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