Ready to get even more spooked? Halloween may be over, but aren't we forgetting another holiday? Día de los Muertos for instance is one of Mexico's beloved holidays, also known as the Day of the Dead in English. This Mexican holiday and cultural tradition is one of my favorite days of the year which start right at the end of October 31st. Before you get confused as to why this is a celebrated festivity, let's take a look at it's background.
On the first and second of November each year, many central and southern regions of Mexico honor their deceased loved ones by gathering together and setting up handmade ofrendas (altars) on the tombstones of their local cemeteries. It was believed that the gates of heaven are opened at midnight on October 31st, and the spirits of all deceased angelitos (children) are allowed to reunite with their families and friends for 24 hours. Then on November 2nd, the spirits of the adults come as well to enjoy the festivals, foods, and company of the living.
What I mean by building an altar, preparing foods, and sharing mementos, will show your loved ones how much you care, love and miss them. It's a respectable notion as to how much you've been thinking about them. By building an altar you would put items that have meaning to the deceased. Whether it'd be pictures, statues, letters, cards, jewelry, and much more. These items would be decorated with candles, marigolds, incense, salt, fruits, and my personal favorite, sugar skulls. All of these decorations have a special meaning to the altars you build and each give a traditional value that has been passed on for generations.
Although this holiday is acknowledged internationally, some countries don't necessarily understand the concept of it. For instance, many people from the United States don't quite grasp the tradition of this culture. Many find it strange that people would even celebrate the thought of death. Although this isn't the case at all. The purpose of the holiday is to stay connected to the ones who have passed and to rejoice in the thought of being reunited with them even for just a split moment.
Whether you believe in the presence or not, it is important to just take a moment and remember the good times shared with that person. By mourning and making yourself disconsolate will mostly show how much you've suffered without them. By showing the deceased this sort of presence can leave a negative impact on them as well as oneself.
Let me leave you with a quote by Octavio Paz, "The word "Death" is not pronounced in New York, in Paris, in London, because it burns the lips. The Mexican in contrast, is familiar with death, jokes about it, caresses it; it is one of his favorite toys and most steadfast love."
