Tradiciones del Día de los Muertos
Día de los Muertos, also known as Day of the Dead is a special holiday celebrated on November 2 in Mexico, Spain, South and Central America and areas of the United States. Día de los Muertos is a joyous celebration of life and honoring family members departed.
Families observe the holiday with vibrant traditions including decorating sugar skulls , making altars for loved ones, and hanging papel picado (colorful cut paper banners). There is also music, dance and stories to commemorate those who have passed on.
Families observe the holiday with vibrant traditions including decorating sugar skulls , making altars for loved ones, and hanging papel picado (colorful cut paper banners). There is also music, dance and stories to commemorate those who have passed on.
Día de los Muertos Videos
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Check out this beautifully animated, and heart felt, short film about a little girl who visits the land of the dead, where she learns the true meaning of the Mexican holiday, Día de los Muertos. It was the Student Academy Award Gold Medal winner in 2013.
Produced by Ashley Graham, Kate Reynolds, and Lindsey St. Pierre at Ringling College of Art and Design as their senior thesis |
"Day of the Dead or Día de los Muertos is a sacred celebration that welcomes back the souls of departed loved ones between All Saints Day and All Souls Day. This is a joyful, festive time in Mexico and nowhere is it more so than in Oaxaca, where indigenous pre-Hispanic traditions blend with Catholic ritual practices."
Text and Video copyright Norma Hawthorne - Oaxaca Cultural Navigator website |
Ofrendas/AltarsThe Day of the Dead altar is a special tradition for family members or relatives to remember and honor the memories of loved ones. Families will place different items on the altar called "ofrendas" or offerings. These can include photos, salt and water, fresh flowers such as marigolds, sugar skulls, pan de muerto or other symbolic offerings to honor their loved one.
Photo copyright of Norma Hawthorne Oaxaca Cultural Navigator website |
Calaveras
Calavera or "skull" in Spanish is one of the most popular symbols of Day of the Dead and used in many representations including sugar skulls, in artwork and face painting.
The sugar skulls or "calaveras de azúcar" are sold leading up to Day of the Dead. |
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Decorating GravesitesOn Día de los Muertos November 2, families will visit their loved ones gravesites to lay flowers, such as the zempasuchil (an Indian word for a special type of marigold), photos, gifts, candles, incense and other mementos. There is a festive air as families clean the grave sites, share stories about loved ones and even graveyard picnics are common.
Photo copyright of Norma Hawthorne Oaxaca Cultural Navigator website |
Costumes and MakeupIn many festivals, parades and celebrations, Día de los Muertos costumes and makeup are worn by participants to honor their loved ones and the holiday. Many dress as "Catrinas" or "Lady of the Dead."
Photo copyright of Norma Hawthorne Oaxaca Cultural Navigator website |
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Pan de Muerto
Pan de muerto or "bread of the dead" is a traditional Mexican sweet bread. Local bakeries make the breads in different shapes for families to enjoy at parties and grave sites. You can make your own pan de muerto with this recipe.
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Catrinas
The Catrina is a popular symbol of the Día de los Muertos holiday. She is elegantly dressed skeleton figure. Her image was made famous by Jose Guadalupe Posada but has roots in Mictecacihuatl, goddess of death and Lady of Mictlan, the underworld.
Be sure to enter into this year's Catrina Costume Contest! |