Spring Break
Day of the Dead celebrates life
Adam Minorczyk
Issue date: 10/31/07 Section: News
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At first thought, one may associate Halloween with ghosts, monsters or haunted houses. The holiday is typically centered on a theme of fright and fun. However, other countries such as Mexico celebrate holidays similar to that of Halloween in a different way.
"The Day of the Dead," or Día de los Muertos in Spanish, is a popular Latin American holiday that dates back to the 17th and 18th centuries.
The holiday is typically celebrated on Nov. 1 and 2. Traditionally Nov. 1 celebrates deceased children and infants, while Nov. 2 honors deceased adults.
Compared to the rather morbid theme of Halloween, The Day of the Dead is a joyful holiday. Throughout the festivities, the mood remains bright and positive. A particular emphasis is put forth on honoring the lives of the departed as well as celebrating the continuation of life. Most consider the remembrance of the passing of an individual to be the beginning of a new stage in life.
While Halloween is filled with a general feeling of obscurity and randomness, those observing The Day of the Dead consider the holiday a serious occasion, preparing far in advance for the celebrations. During the first two days of November, families usually visit the graves of deceased relatives and decorate them with offerings such as flowers. It is common, however, for people to celebrate the memories of deceased children during the first day of the holiday. Families usually place their children's favorite toys or candies on their graves.
As The Day of the Dead continues, a majority of families place altars inside their homes, celebrating the memories of late loved ones. These altars usually contain pictures of religious figures of those being honored. People then gather around them to pray and remember the dead. Some write short poems about friends or family and read them at the holiday gatherings.
Food plays a customary role in The Day of the Dead celebrations. Prior to the holiday, families often spend time baking traditional foods that are later enjoyed by celebrants. Chocolate, tamales and traditional breads are the most popular foods eaten during the holiday. Seats are reserved for the dead during feasts and additional meals are cooked.
The official symbol of The Day of the Dead is the skull, or calavera in Spanish. The symbol is most frequently represented in masks worn by celebrants during parades and foods such as sugar skulls, which can be given to both the living and the deceased. In addition, artists often create impressive paintings and sculptures of skulls during the celebrations.
This traditional Spanish holiday has always been considered culturally important in Mexico, just as Halloween is in the United States.
The Day of the Dead is slowly becoming widespread as Latin American communities continue to develop both socially and economically. Those of Latin American decent residing in the United States already celebrate the holiday, encouraging others to do the same.
"The Day of the Dead," or Día de los Muertos in Spanish, is a popular Latin American holiday that dates back to the 17th and 18th centuries.
The holiday is typically celebrated on Nov. 1 and 2. Traditionally Nov. 1 celebrates deceased children and infants, while Nov. 2 honors deceased adults.
Compared to the rather morbid theme of Halloween, The Day of the Dead is a joyful holiday. Throughout the festivities, the mood remains bright and positive. A particular emphasis is put forth on honoring the lives of the departed as well as celebrating the continuation of life. Most consider the remembrance of the passing of an individual to be the beginning of a new stage in life.
While Halloween is filled with a general feeling of obscurity and randomness, those observing The Day of the Dead consider the holiday a serious occasion, preparing far in advance for the celebrations. During the first two days of November, families usually visit the graves of deceased relatives and decorate them with offerings such as flowers. It is common, however, for people to celebrate the memories of deceased children during the first day of the holiday. Families usually place their children's favorite toys or candies on their graves.
As The Day of the Dead continues, a majority of families place altars inside their homes, celebrating the memories of late loved ones. These altars usually contain pictures of religious figures of those being honored. People then gather around them to pray and remember the dead. Some write short poems about friends or family and read them at the holiday gatherings.
Food plays a customary role in The Day of the Dead celebrations. Prior to the holiday, families often spend time baking traditional foods that are later enjoyed by celebrants. Chocolate, tamales and traditional breads are the most popular foods eaten during the holiday. Seats are reserved for the dead during feasts and additional meals are cooked.
The official symbol of The Day of the Dead is the skull, or calavera in Spanish. The symbol is most frequently represented in masks worn by celebrants during parades and foods such as sugar skulls, which can be given to both the living and the deceased. In addition, artists often create impressive paintings and sculptures of skulls during the celebrations.
This traditional Spanish holiday has always been considered culturally important in Mexico, just as Halloween is in the United States.
The Day of the Dead is slowly becoming widespread as Latin American communities continue to develop both socially and economically. Those of Latin American decent residing in the United States already celebrate the holiday, encouraging others to do the same.
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