DIA DE LOS MUERTOS: ONE OF THE GREATEST CELEBRATIONS IN MEXICO

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A HOME-MADE SEMI-TRADITIONAL ALTAR UPON A TABLE, COVERED IN BRIGHT FLOWERS AND CANDLES; PHOTO BY LILI NANDELL

Most only know about Dia de los Muertos from the movie Coco, but Dia de los Muertos is one of the most important celebrations in Mexico. Originally, it began on October 27 and went to November 2. The days were split up, with October 27th being dedicated to pets, October 28th to sudden or tragic deaths (as it is believed these souls tend to wander more), October 29th to forgotten souls, October 30th to distant ancestors, October 31st to unborn children, November 1st to children, and the final day, November 2nd, is for anyone else who was close to you. However, this can vary based on how certain people passed down the tradition in their culture. The days changed for most as it was too expensive to do for 7 days. It became the 2 days we now know: November 1st for children and November 2nd for everyone else. Originally, the name of the holiday was Dia de Muertos, but due to translations from English to Spanish, it became Dia de los Muertos. The names are interchangeable though.

There are some traditional things that go on an ofrenda, such as the photos of those who passed and marigolds, but there are no rules to Dia de los Muertos. Typically the marigold petals are led from the door to the altar to guide the spirit. They represent the festivities of Dia de los Muertos. Salt is also spread by the door to ward off any unwanted spirits and purify those who come in, but some just leave it to the alter. Tablecloths can be any color, but like salt, white symbolizes purity. 

Incense are used to clear the space of bad spirits while the candles are for hope and guidance. Food and water are also put on the ofrenda to nourish the spirits after their long journey. Pan de Muerto symbolizes life and death; The round shape representing the circle of life, and the cross representing death. The favorite things of those on the alter are also placed, as well as any memories, trinkets or things that remind you of them. Generally, oferendas have aspects of all 4 elements, candles for fire, papel picado (paper banners) for air, flowers, and food for earth, and water represents itself. The most important thing to remember is that every ofrenda and Dia de Muertos will be different, but that’s the point. It’s supposed to be made personal and special to you and your family. 

Though the tradition is mostly celebrated in Mexico, most Mexicans don’t find it offensive for people outside their culture to ask about Dia de los Muertos, enjoy the celebrations, or maybe in the future, after learning about it, put up their own ofrenda so long as you’re respectful in how you do so. Even though it may be sentimental, it isn’t sacred. It’s about the thoughts, dedication, and meaning behind the ofrenda. Everyone celebrates the holiday differently. For example, Junior Julieta Ortiz celebrates by eating Conchas and Pan de Muerto. For her, it’s a day to eat cultural food. On the other hand, Mrs. Virginia Dominguez Rodriguez, a Spanish teacher here at Clear Creek Amana High School, has celebrated Dia de los Muertos in a lot of different ways herself. She’s from Veracruz, Mexico but she’s lived in Puebla for the past 25 years and has had a variety of amazing experiences with their celebrations of Dia de Muertos. 

PETS CAN BE INCLUDED ON ALL ALTARS WITH TREATS AND WATER FOR THEIR LONG JOURNEY; PHOTO BY LILI NANDELL

Her alters consisted of very similar things to what we have here, but with a bit more variety. There were the candles and pictures of course, and fruits like apples and mandarin oranges, but there were also other things like guava (fruit), mole (a specific dish with a spicy sauce), cafe de olla (coffee variation), photos of La Virgin de Guadalupe and Jesus, ponche (traditional punch) and so much more. When she lived in Puebla, she would visit La Casa de Cultura, a place where cultural events were organized. Sometimes, they would hand out traditional food or candy at these events but the main reason she went was because they had a show around Dia de los Muertos that was important to the community. Not only that, but they had large alters for the people. She remembers when she was a child she would hear stories about how when other families put up an ofrenda, they felt something different that day and that night. 

She would also go and see colorful parades where there were Catrinas. La Catrina is almost a personification of the cycle of life and death. She represents how in the end, we are all the same, all equal. At these parades, there were people who would dress like La Catrina, and perform dances with all sorts of different face paints. Honestly, it was magical just to hear about it. I can’t even begin to imagine the festival in person. 

For my family and I, the night of Halloween we clear off our dining room table and lay out the tablecloth. We then set out the decorations, food, and candles. My favorite part is spreading the flowers. It’s peaceful. 

Me and my sister pull the petals off the marigolds or cempasuchil and quietly, we put them in any blank spots. For us, we put out fruit, Pan de Muerto, favorite drinks of those on the alter, water, treats for pets, and cigarettes for the adults. Pan de Muerto is special in the way that if it’s left out, it stays good. Most breads become hard being left out for days. It’s believed that the essence of the food is what’s eaten by the spirits, but it doesn’t affect the food for us. Our pets are actually very respectful of the holiday. They’ve never gotten on the table, and they’re very peaceful around the altar. It almost feels as if they feel the spirits there. 

Mrs. Vicky shared a similar sentiment, saying “I believe that my family who died come that day.” 

Maria Chavez, another student who celebrates Dia de los Muertos said “Es un dia especial” (It’s a special day), and it really is. It turns out something that so many people fear and dread and changes that mindset. It’s about celebrating the lives lived rather than those lost.