During Day of the Dead Mexico Becomes...
The Center of a Festivity To Honor the Dead!

During Day of the Dead Mexico becomes the destination for many travelers and with good reason. There is a feast dating back 3,000 years rooted in an Aztec tradition, where all families reunite and honor their dead people with offerings, visits to the gravesites, flowers, food and pictures of the deceased placed on the altar

What Exactly Is Day of the Dead or “El Día de los Muertos?”

“El Día de los Muertos” is a 3-day celebration that calls upon the spirits of our ancestors to invite them to live among us, therefore honoring them is a must.

The “ánimas” or spirits of the deceased have permission from the dead world to come visit us. The dead comeback attracted by their previous homes, belongings and the love they feel from their families.

October 31st marks the ending of the preparations for the 2 first days of November when we celebrate El Dia de los Muertos.

November 1st is the day to give family and friends a sample of the food offerings that make the “ofrenda de muertos” or the deceased offerings. “Day of the Dead bread” is an item that is always present in this offering. Also in this day we honor “los angelitos" or the deceased children. On November 2nd we honor the deceased adults.

We also celebrate "El Día de los Muertos" in the U.S. with parades and special events in galleries throughout Chicago, California, Texas, New York and New Mexico.

During Day of the Dead Mexico Bings to Life a Great Piece of History

History comes alive when enjoying Day of the Dead in Mexico and in some parts of the U.S. This Aztec celebration was presided over by the Lady of the Dead named Mictecacihuatl and included many rituals dedicated to her and to the god of war Huitzilopochtli.

Convergence of Cultures
The Indigenous & The Catholic
Picture by Zocalo2010

Day of the Dead or “El Día de los Muertos” in Mexico used to be an entire month celebration that fell on the month of Miccailhuitontli, the ninth month of the Aztec Solar Calendar. This month probably corresponds to July 24 through August 12.

“El Día de los Muertos” starts on October the 31st and ends on November the 2nd. The original dates of the festivity evolved after the arrival of the Spaniards in Mexico.

“The Catholic Dominicos came to Oaxaca to evangelize the land and unified the Aztec celebration with the religious festivities of “El Día de Todos Los Santos” or -All Saints Day- on November 1st , and “El Día de Todos Los Muertos” or -All Souls Day- on November 2nd.

Day of the Dead Altars

Altar at the Grave
Picture by Zocalo2010

During Day of the Dead Mexico dresses itself with skulls and altars, where families place all the offerings for the deceased.

The altars of "El Día de los Muertos" can be at home or on top of the grave and the decorations of the Altars vary in accordance to each region of Mexico where this holiday is celebrated.

The Day of the Dead altars are generally on a table that we cover with a table cloth, a white sheet, or simple cut paper. We tie pieces of sugar cane or “carrizos” in the shape of an arch to the legs of the table to welcome the deceased.

We place offerings at the altar on the morning of October 31st, and while we prepare the Day of the Dead altars we remember all our deceased family members.

Decorations for "El Dia de los Muertos"

Marigolds
Picture by Zocalo2010

During Day of the Dead Mexico becomes a fragrant place invaded with the traditional scent of “cempasúchil" - yellow-orange marigolds, - along animated figures of “calacas” or skeletons, and sugar skulls.

Other important objects are Day of the Dead bread or "pan de muerto," a lamp that contains “higuerilla“oil, white and yellow candles and “velones,” a special kind of candle commonly used to pray. Religious images and pictures of the deceased are also customary.

Pumpkin Skulls
Picture by Voodoorootbeer

Valerie Menard wrote in The Latino Holiday Book "The most important character on Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is the key symbol of death, the calavera." Don't be surprised to see skulls everywhere! Embrace them as they are symbolic of life.

During Day of the Dead Mexico initiates the celebration in the middle of October when all participants purchase the elements for the offerings they want to place at the altar.

Several days before Day of the Dead Mexico becomes particularly colorful as markets and homes use decorations with characteristic objects and scents that make this holiday one of the most picturesque in the country.

Day of the Dead Bread and Other Foods

Pan de muerto is essential when celebrating "El Dia de los muertos" simply because it carries tradition and it is the bread Mexicans share with families at the table. Other foods we use "El Día de los Muertos" are "el mole negro," los dulces Oaxaqueños like pumpkin preserve, "las manzanitas de tejocote," along with chocolate.

During Day of the Dead Mexico transforms itself into a wonderful town that mixes fun, reverence, remembrance and respect. This is one of best holidays celebrated in South America that gives us an opportunity to reunite with those who have passed away and are still in our hearts. It is like connecting two worlds without any trace of fear!