The Days of the Dead
Written on November 1, 2011 – 5:00 am | by Jasmine Sweatman
Los Dias De Los Muertos, the Days of the Dead is a traditional Mexican celebration honouring the dead. It is also celebrated around the world. The celebration takes place on November 1st and 2nd at the same time as the Catholic holidays of All Saints’ Day (November 1) and All Souls’ Day (November 2).
The celebration came about from the customs of the Celtics, Romans, and Christian’s with influences from the Aztecs. The Aztecs believed in an afterlife where the spirits of the dead would return as hummingbirds and butterflies. Many believe that monarch butterflies, which have spent their summer in the northern United States and Canada, return to Mexico during this time for the winter protection of the oyamel fir trees. The local people welcome back the returning butterflies in which they believe take on the spirits of the dead.
The holiday is not a time of sadness, but a time of remembering loved ones and rejoicing their lives. There are gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember those who have died. The activities that take place are not universal and often vary from town to town. Some traditions connected with the holiday include individuals building “altars” in their homes using flowers, photographs, memorabilia and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed. Individuals also attend at the cemetery where they clean and decorate their loved one’s grave site. Music is played, food is eaten and everyone celebrates the lives of the departed throughout the night. In some towns individuals dress up in costumes as ghouls, ghosts, mummies and skeletons and parade around town carrying open coffins. The intent is to encourage visits by the souls. Rather than a time of trick or treat, this time is clearly a festive occasion and a unique way of remembering the dead.
Lesson Learned: P.S. I still prefer the candy and chocolate to “visits by the souls”.
Tags: Jasmine Sweatman; Sweatman Law Firm; mexican tradition; mexican holiday; spirits of the dead
