In the UK and other countries such as America, Canada and Ireland Halloween is a time to dress up (often in spooky costumes) and go trick-or-treating. However, it is very different in some other parts of the world.
In Mexico, Halloween is almost non-existent but instead they celebrate El Día de los Muertos or The Day of the Dead as it is known in English.
This two-day festival, over the 1st and 2nd of November, is an opportunity for Mexicans and Latin Americans to remember the dead. They celebrate the fact that they are passing from one life, into the next.
Preparations begin on the 31st of October, also known as All Hallows Eve, All Saints’ Eve or Halloween. People prepare for the event by doing a number of things to encourage the Dead to visit them.
People decorate altars and archways for the dead. Children often decorate altars to invite “los angelitos” (literally translated as “little angels” in English) – young children who have died – to visit them. Families also create altars for their loved ones who have passed away and items, known as “ofrendas”, are placed on the altar to entice spirits to come home. Each “ofrenda” tends to have a special meaning. People may place a favourite food of a loved one or an item of significance to encourage their spirit to visit. In small villages people leave their doors open and neighbours visit each other’s altars.
Marigolds are often used to decorate graves. Their pungent smell is thought to be very distinctive for Mexicans who have died, as they themselves would have taken part in the tradition throughout their lives.
Food is also an important part of the tradition. People make “Pan de Muertos” (Bread of the Dead) and eat colourful Sugar Skulls. Skulls made of chocolate or sugar are given as gifts on the Day of the Dead, to both the dead and the living. Food is left on altars in people’s houses to draw the dead back home. While this food can be eaten after the festivities, some people believe that it lacks nutritional value as the dead have absorbed its spiritual essence.
Many candles are also lit. People believe that this helps the dead to find their way back to the land of the living and also helps them to feel at home, as candles represent the stars from heaven. Incense is used to help guide the dead back home as well.
Skulls are an important symbol for those who take part in the Day of the Dead festival. Women dress up as “Catrinas”, characters derived from a piece of art called “La Calavera Catrina” (“The ELegant Skull”) by a famous Mexican print-maker and cartoon illustrator – José Guadalupe Posada.
The piece from circa 1910 which depicts a female skeleton dressed in an upper class European outfit of the time has been modernised to become an important part of the Day of the Dead. Some males also dress as skeletons. This is about as close as you will get to the festival being “halloweenish” .
Can we learn something from this Mexican tradition? Diego Boneta, a Mexican actor and singer says:
“We remember the ones who live in our memories”
Many of us can probably relate to these words. Here, we remember the dead on their anniversaries but we tend to pay our respects in a sombre, solemn manner.
In Mexico some believe that the dead would be insulted by mourning. Maybe we should take a leaf out of the Mexican’s book and celebrate the lives of those who have died rather than forever mourn their loss. However, even though many Mexicans have a strong belief in the after-life and embrace death, they too have funerals for those who have passed away and spend time grieving after a loved one dies.
If you’re looking for a film to watch while you enjoy your remaining sweets from Halloween, I would reccomend watching “The Book of Life”. It’s a great movie and you can learn more about El Día de los Muertos while you watch!
You must be logged in to post a comment.