Dias de Los Muertos or “The Day of the Dead” has been a special celebration in Mexico for five centuries. Between October 29th and November 2nd Mexican lifestyle takes on a whole new meaning. People celebrate in abundance preparing candies, spices, foods, drinks and flowers to honor those departed loved ones.
Favorites “often include black molé with chicken or turkey, and duck when it’s available. Pan de Muerto (Bread of the Dead), flavored with anise or ground cinnamon, is a staple and the recipe varies from village to village. Once baked, the final loaf takes the shape of a skull decorated with icing or shapes of favorite items of the departed. Drinks are not overlooked - tequila, refrescos of all kinds, and traditional atole, an ancient drink made from corn meal and water, flavored with various fruits. Garnishes include red corn, pumpkin and scattered campastuchil petals leading from the door to the family altar.”
Indigenous Mexicans believed that souls do not die but are merely in a place of somber rest (Mictlan - the place of Death) after their human life. The Day of the Dead is a time when these ancient souls in waiting are free to re-visit their loved ones. While they cannot be seen, their spirit presence is felt and thus families offer food, drinks, music and celebration to greet them.
It is also common for relatives to offer lit candles to help spirits make their journeys from the place of the dead back home. Fragrant flowers are also dispersed into the night air to entice the spirits back to the land of the living. While the Dias de Los Muertos comes during the same time as Halloween it has different meaning for Mexicans - it is not a scary or somber event, but a happy one. A time to be reunited with those you love and celebrate ancient rituals.
children also hold a special place during this time, “One of the most touching aspects of the celebration is to see sleepy-eyed children arrive on November 1st for the Vigil of the Angelitos or Little Angeles.”
Since early childhood they have been prepared for this occasion, one that teaches them love and respect for the departed as well as awareness of their cultural roots. Little girls dressed in their finest colored skirts and shinny shoes begin a three-hour vigil under the supervision of their mothers. Fathers and brothers typically watch from a distance as the girls carry flowers and lighted candles to the cemetery. Their altars are adorned with toys made of wood or straw, favorite fruits, and photographs of their heroes. The food is less spicy than that prepared for the adults. “In our land, when a child dies, parents should willingly give up the soul to heaven with a good attitude because he or she is considered a little angel. This is the reason people light fireworks and don’t cry, allowing the child to enter paradise and elude the departed souls from coming back (home) to collect tears.”"
The arrival of the departed adults is then celebrated the next day beginning with the ringing of a bell to awaken the sleeping souls and let them know the feast is about to begin. Offerings are brought to the cemetery where fires provide warmth and ambiance and warm drinks pass good cheer. Families spend the night paying homage to those loved ones departed reminiscing about times of old.
This ancient Aztec celebration is one that is dear to our hearts, so please join us in celebrating and honoring those we have loved this Dias de Los Muertos.
Excerpts from a story by Thomas Whittingslow
Photos by Phillippe Diederich & Ann Murdy
