Day of the Dead is an
annual celebration to honor the spirits of
the dead, observed primarily in Mexico and other Latin American
countries in
early November. The exact dates of the celebration vary from region to
region.
In many communities, the Day of the Dead—known in Spanish as El Día
de los
Muertos—is observed on November 1 and 2 and coincides with the
Christian
celebrations of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day. All Saints’ Day,
observed
on November 1, honors the Christian saints, and All Souls’ Day, observed
on
November 2, is a holiday of the Roman Catholic Church to commemorate the
deceased so they might “rest in peace.” According to popular belief, on
the Day
of the Dead the spirits of the dead return to commune with the living.
Families
leave offerings for these spirits, attend fiestas (festivals) dressed in
costumes, and clean or decorate the graves of deceased family members.
The Day of the Dead
is similar in many respects to Halloween, a
holiday that also commemorates the spirits of the dead. Halloween
originated in
Europe and is now celebrated on October 31 in the United States. Some
Day of
the Dead ceremonies are sanctioned and presided over by representatives
of the
Catholic Church. Many aspects of Day of the Dead celebrations reflect
Native
American traditions that predate the Spanish conquest of Mexico in the
early
1500s. Observances vary from region to region, and often between
different
social groups within the same community. Some communities hold multiple
Day of
the Dead celebrations during the last week of October and the first week
of
November. In these elaborate observances, specific days are usually set
aside
for various classes of spirits, such as those of people who died
violently or
who died within the last year.
Most Day of the Dead
activities take place in the home. Paths of
flower petals and burning incense lead spirits to the houses of their
living
relatives. Many families construct elaborate ofrendas
(offerings),
tables heaped with gifts of food and drink for the spirits of the dead.
Special
loaves of bread such as pan de los muertos, or bread of the dead,
are
baked for the holiday and are often included in offerings to the
spirits. Other
food offerings are selected with the spirit of a specific individual in
mind,
including dishes the deceased person enjoyed in life. The ofrenda is
decorated
with flowers, especially an orange or yellow marigold known as cempasúchil
(flower of the dead) and the mano de león (lion’s paw). Also,
arches of
palm leaves and banners of tissue paper cut into intricate designs
frequently
hang above the ofrenda table.
After the spirits
have been given an opportunity to partake of the
offerings, the celebrants eat the food. Leftover food is placed on the
graves
of dead relatives or distributed to living relatives and other members
of the
community. According to custom, ill fortune, such as sickness or death,
may
befall those who do not make offerings.
In some areas,
especially in Mexico City, many celebrants
construct papier-mậché skeletons and skulls. These are often arranged in
tableaus that tell a story, sometimes a social or political satire.
Skulls made
from sugar are also common. In urban areas, ofrenda competitions and Day
of the
Dead dances, or discos, have become increasingly common.
