Today is November 2nd and two days after one of my most my favorite holidays, Halloween! I'm probably not alone in the love of Halloween. If it were up to me, I'd leave my Halloween decorations up year round.
When in middle school, in Spanish class I first was explained the meaning of my other favorite holiday. Being a Mexican American I've been fascinated in learning about my culture.
However, my fun doesn't end as November comes around. My other favorite holiday beings today.
You might have heard of it, Day of the Dead. A Latin American holiday full of color and light.
As a culture, latin culture is full of color,music, bursting at the seams with spice and fire.
Beginning November 1st and carrying on until November 2nd many Latin American countries and people celebrate the holiday known as Dia De Los Muertos or in English, Day of the Dead. As a Mexican American and fiercely proud of my heritage I celebrate Day of the Dead, to do exactly what the intention of the holiday is and want to share the meaning of this beautiful celebration of the cycle of life.
Day of the Dead has its roots in Aztec culture. We see the transition from new to old with the modern female skulls, also known as La Catrina based on the goddess of the dead.
Altars are made in homes, filled with photographs, artifacts, belongings of those honored. Marigolds, prayer candles, and sugar skulls are in abundance as well.
Why do I celebrate and how do I celebrate?
The main reason people celebrate is to remember,to remember the lives of ancestors gone before us. Mexican's do not fear death, they in some aspects celebrate it. Most speak of death as just the beginning of the life everlasting, life continued, what have you. They joke about it, often remembering the funny, the good of those passed on ahead of us. They celebrate each life, with love and happiness, color and light.
A new way of looking at things for me, and likely most Americans. Finding the good in death, the loss and being able to see it, understand it and incorporate that into grieving helps the heal your broken heart just a little bit faster.
Below is my altar for today November 1st, 2016.
Earlier this year my grandmother passed away and I am honoring her this year, along with a lost kitty cat that came into work and passed away.
I've included some of her favorite things as well as the traditional la catrina. Setting this up was extremely comforting.
She is gone, but not forgotten. She will be remembered by the lives she touched and let me tell you what, she touched many.
Having a specific day to reflect on her and celebrate her it is a beautiful and wonderful thing.
I'm proud to celebrate this holiday, this year and every year.
Feliz dia de los muertos
If you are interested in learning more and seeing more here's some links to some really cool stuff I've found over the years.
http://www.unm.edu/~htafoya/dayofthedead.html
https://www.behance.net/gallery/24557497/Las-Muertas
https://www.facebook.com/ajplusenglish/videos/6377...
