Día
de los Muertos celebrates the traditions of present-day Mexico and of
pre-Columbian times; including the Aztecs, Mayans and Toltec’s. The Aztecs, for example, held a month-long
celebration of deceased loved ones each year, overseen by the goddess Mictecacihuatl
(“Lady of the Dead”).
Ancient
Aztec Celebration
Aztec Leader
Aztec
Offering
In
Mexico and among Mexican-Americans, November 1st is usually reserved
for honoring the children who died (angelitos), while November 2nd
is for honoring the adults who died.
When
families build altars (ofrendas) to the dead in their homes, they include
offerings to represent earth, water, fire and wind. The favorite foods of the deceased represent
earth. Water, traditionally placed in a
clay pitcher or glass is for reflecting the belief that a returning spirit
works up a thirst. The candles and decoratively
punched paper (papel picado) and marigolds would represent fire and wind.
Ofrenda
The
deceased’s favorite foods and drinks also become part of the picnic if a family
chooses to celebrate by the graveside.
The hope is that the spirit of the beloved one will return for a short
reunion.
Cemetery
Decoration in Oaxaca, Mexico
Egg-based
Day of the Dead bread (pan de muerto) is a staple food for the
celebration. It usually is sweet and
made with anise. The bread is baked in
various shapes representing humans and animals.
Some loaves are decorated with extra pieces of dough that look like
skulls and bones. Sugar skulls are made
with white sugar and decorated with glitter glue, icing, or colored with
markers. Other foods linked to the
holiday include atole (a corn-based drink, sometimes with liquor), chocolate,
and mole.
Pan de Muerto
Atole
Sugar Skulls
As
Day of the Dead candy skulls indicate, skeletons are a significant symbol of
the holiday. The role of the skeleton
has both ancient and more recent roots.
In pre-Columbian times, representations of skulls and skeletons were
shown on wall paintings and pottery.
They signified rebirth into the next stage of life. In the early 20th century, Mexican political
caricaturist Jose Guadalupe Posada received fame from imaginatively portraying
the wealthy as somewhat narcissistic skeletons (“calaveras”) in fancy
attire. The most famous was Catrina, who
wore a feathery hat and long dress and accompanied by Catrin, who wore a top
hat and a tuxedo.
Catrina/Catrina and Catrin
Day
of the Dead celebrations are to acknowledge that death is an inescapable part
of life. Instead of fearing it, you
should celebrate it! You can even
celebrate my favorite interpretation of my favorite holiday, Nightmare/Noche de
Los Muertos!
http://www.theshirtlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Noche-de-los-Muertos.jpg\
For
more information, please visit: http://education.nationalgeographic.com/education/media/dia-de-los-muertos/?ar_a=1
Return
next week for another exciting blog on a holiday and related foods!
Work
Cited
Turim,
G. Day of the Dead Sweets and Treats. (2012, November 2). The History Channel.
A&E Television Networks. Retrieved
April 13, 2015.
