This tradition, rich in folk art, is rooted in ancient practices of the indigenous people of Latin America blended with Spanish traditions brought to the New World in the early 1500s. Unlike the gruesome and haunting events often associated with Halloween, the centuries-old tradition of the Day of the Dead brings families and communities together as they celebrate and honor the deceased. From region to region, the Mexican celebration varies in length from one or two days to as long as a couple of weeks. Typically, November 1 is reserved for the souls of the returning angelitos or children, and November 2 for the return of the adult souls. -- School Arts
It is a way for people to remember the dead, the many lessons they've shared, the history of a family, and to celebrate the fulfilling lives they led. It also gives those a way to celebrate their connection to their religion as the Day of the Dead is celebrated as All Souls Day and All Saints Day for the Catholic Church. Día de los Muertos is celebrated not just across Mexico, but also in U.S. cities such as Los Angeles and New York, where large offerings, parades, and cultural events are held. Countries like Spain, the Philippines, Brazil, and Guatemala, among others, also have traditions to celebrate their deceased. Both public places and homes are filled with altars or offerings to commemorate loved ones with their favorite things, and decorations include cempasúchil flowers (marigolds), paper cut-outs, candles, salt, water, chocolate, sugar skulls, pan de muerto (bread of the dead) and the favorite foods and liquor of the deceased. --NBC News
In ancient Europe, pagan celebrations of the dead also took place in the fall and consisted of bonfires, dancing, and feasting. Some of these customs survived even after the rise of the Roman Catholic Church, which (unofficially) adopted them into their celebrations of two Catholic holidays, All Saints Day and All Souls Day, celebrated on the first two days of November.
In medieval Spain, people would bring wine and pan de ánimas (spirit bread) to the graves of their loved ones on All Souls Day; they would also cover graves with flowers and light candles to illuminate the dead souls’ way back to their homes on Earth. In the 16th century, Spanish conquistadores brought such traditions with them to the New World, along with a darker view of death influenced by the devastation of the bubonic plague. --History
Ofrendas, or altars, created by families display favorite foods and trinkets thought to be appreciated by their deceased ancestors, as well as candles and photographs of the deceased to honor their passing and welcome their souls to the festivities. The construction of the ofrendas varies from region to region throughout Mexico. For example, the residents of Huaquechula, located in the state of Puebla, create polychrome pottery for their ofrendas. In this region, ofrendas are built from a series of graduated boxes covered in white cloth and stacked on the table. In Oaxaca, stalks of sugar cane are tied to the table legs forming an arch over the ofrenda. Miniature skeletons made of clay, wood, and papier-mache representing a profession or a life-like activity might be displayed as a remembrance of loved ones' favorite activities. Calaveras or skeleton masks inspired by Mexican artist Jose Guadalupe Posada may also be included. -- School Arts
Archeological research shows that as early as 3000 years ago, the Aztecs annually celebrated a Festival of the Dead, during which, it was believed, the Lady of the Underworld returned to earth, initiating a long harvest festival of two months. In the 16th century, the conquering Spanish observed this local tradition of honoring the dead, and eventually, the Aztec rituals merged with European Catholicism to create a shorter commemoration period of what is now known as Dia De Los Muertos, the Day or Days of the Dead. Through the centuries, this practice ultimately spread north into the United States. The visitor should realize that this is not a variation of Halloween but a cultural, sacred, joyous time for family reunions involving both the living and the dead. --PSA Journal
