For 3,500 years, in both pre-colonial and post-colonial eras of Mexico, the people there have celebrated a unique holiday. Today, the “Day of the Dead” ceremonies encompass both Aztec rituals and thoughts, and those of Roman Catholicism. Once a month long festival, now just two days are set aside, presided over by Mictecacihuatl, “the Lady of the Dead.” This celebration is inextricably linked to “All Saints Day” (Nov. 1) and “All Soul’s Day” (Nov. 2).
The first day is set aside to honor the “angelitos,” the little angels who are no longer with us. White candles burn at their gravesites, and toys and balloons are brought there.
Adults are honored by elaborate altars, both at home and at the cemetery. These displays include food: sweet rolls (pan de muerto), candy skulls that are eaten by a friend or relative in memory of the deceased, and other food items, as well as all manner of beverages, including, but not limited to, atole (made from corn meal), tequila, water, and coffee.
Floral wreaths of either artificial or fresh flowers are often seen, and a favorite flower seems to be a certain variety of marigold.
The celebration is full of joy and is carried out throughout Mexico. One of the more spectacular events occurs on an island called Janitzio in the Lago de Patzcuaro (with an accent on the first “a.”) There, a duck hunt is conducted. Tourists are advised to book their trips in sufficient time, before hotels fill up. Mexico City is a major destination where the section called “Mixquic” is a desirable place to be, during the Day of the Dead celebrations. Another site is Oaxaca.
Firework displays, and happy revelry welcome back the dead for one day. These traveling souls are thought to be residing in Mictlan at the present time, but they come back to their graves to enjoy their favorite foods. The celebration for adults is marked by the tolling of a bell from 6 p.m. until sunrise the next day. This night is called, “Noche de Muertos.”
Some historians make parallels to the Festival of Osiris in ancient Egypt. It seems that if we look at recorded history and the history of ideas, we will see that Man wants to believe that there is something more than his mortal existence, that we, as a species, can and do beat Death itself. This idea certainly coincides with Christian thought, but it is interesting to remember that the idea of an afterlife precedes Christianity.
The skull, the quintessential symbol of Death, rules the day in this Mexican celebration. In thinking again about this topic, I can’t ever forget the beautiful quilt, “ Amigos Muertos.” Technically-speaking, I believe it is the finest quilt I have ever seen. Read about the controversy surrounding this quilt on Gwendolyn Magee’s blog. Nonetheless, the quilt was named one of the best 100 quilts of the 20th century.
See this site for a PBS interview with Jonathan.
October is Hispanic Heritage Month.
I hope that you have enjoyed this overview that was helped along by information found at quite a few sites online. In gathering facts, I learned more about this holiday myself, and I do so love to learn!
Patricia Cummings
Quilter’s Muse Publications
