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What is Día de Q.los Muertos? Why is it celebrated?
Día de los A. Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a twoday festival where families welcome back the souls of their deceased relatives for a brief reunion that includes food, drink, and celebration.
This celebration originated in ancient Mesoamerica (Mexico and northern Central America) with indigenous groups, such as the Aztecs and the Toltecs. These groups did not mourn their dead because they believed that death was a part of life, and grief was disrespectful. Instead, they chose to celebrate the memory of their lives. The celebrations were led by the goddess of death, Mictēcacihuātl.
After the arrival of the Spanish, this ritual commemorating the dead was intertwined with two Spanish holidays: All Saints’ Day (November 1) and All Souls’ Day (November 2). Día de los Muertos is often celebrated on November 1 as a day to remember children who have passed, and on November 2 to honor adults.
On the Day of the Dead, it’s believed that the border between the spirit world and the real world dissolves. In addition, the return of the Monarch butterflies to central Mexico coincides with the Día de los Muertos celebration, and many people believe the Monarchs are the souls of ancestors who are returning to Earth for their annual visit.
Because of these beliefs, living family members treat the deceased as honored guests in their celebrations. The families build ofrendas (altars) for their deceased loved ones and fill it with offerings, such as Flores de Cempasúchil (Mexican Marigold flowers), Pan de Muerto (sweet bread coated in sugar and decorated to resemble a pile of bones), candles, copal incense, papel picado (a thin sheet of colorful paper with elaborate cutout designs), calaveras (colorful skulls made of molded sugar paste), food and drinks, and personal possessions.
Families also share amusing anecdotes and memories about their dearly departed. The penchant for telling funny tales ultimately comes from the notion that the deceased would rather not be remembered somberly, but cheerfully.
