THE TRADITION OF THE DAY OF THE DEAD IN MEXICO

One of the most important holidays of the Mexican Catholic calendar is celebrated November 1 and 2 in Mexico: the "Day of the Dead." In spite of the fact that it is celebrated two days after Halloween, these two celebrations have different roots. Halloween comes from a European tradition, while the Day of the Dead arose principally from the prehispanic practices of the New World.

Mexicans dedicate a part of the year to receive the visit of their departed ones, to get together with them and make them have a happy moment during their stay on earth.

November 1, also called Day of the Little Angels, is dedicated to the children that have died; and November 2 is in honor of the adults. Today's celebrations combine Aztec elements and those of our daily life, focusing on the belief in the return of the dead, since it is believed that during these days the spirits of the dead return to the earth to visit their friends and relatives.

Food and drink that the deceased used to enjoy are prepared, offerings are given before their images illuminated by candles and votive lights, the altars dedicated to the dead are filled with multicolored flowers.

The celebration of the Day of the Dead is practiced in all of the Mexico; nevertheless, and given the cultural and ethnic diversity of the towns that make it up, there are variations that center on certain common practices: in some regions of the country, it is customary to build altars in homes, cemeteries or public places, in which the offerings are placed, which preferably are made up of marigold flowers, candles, religious articles, photographs and food, above all the favorite dishes of the deceased.
Other communities maintain the tradition of cleaning and decorating graves with branches and crowns of flowers; in some places, the road from the grave up to the entrance to the house is sprinkled with flower petals so that the deceased does not get lost. Others go to the cemetery accompanied by music, prayers and songs. During those days, it is common to find skeletons that dance, skulls made of sugar or papier-mâché as well as the traditional bread of the dead (Pan de Muerto), objects that also are put on the altars.

The cemeteries and the houses are decorated while the living and the dead eat, drink and stay together in perfect harmony. In the celebration, there is no sadness; it is a day of remembrance, celebration and communion.

In spite of the fact that during the Day of the Dead skulls and skeletons are played with, the principal purpose is to remember the people who have died; at the same time, this celebration makes us reflect and remember that we also will die someday.

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