Having an immortal life has been one of the most desired since ancient times. Around the world people celebrate at different times and occasions to honor, worship or remember the dead. Each one has a similar purpose but the way they do it, it is different.
Many traditions on the Day of the Dead it is related to spirits, ghosts and other creatures.
In Mexico, before the Spanish conquistadors arrived in the land, they noticed that the natives had many rituals which they honored the dead instead of fearing them. For “at least 3,000years” ago, people have been practicing the ritual, which now in modern days, we know it as the Day of the Dead or el Dia de los Muertos, according to The Arizona Times. Before Spanish influenced the natives with their own belief, they use to celebrate it in the month of July and August . Many people believe that during this time of the year they are able to have an interaction or communication with the dead.
Therefore, people honor their loved ones by going to the cemetery to visit them and most importantly make special food. From all the festivals and ceremonies, in some places in Mexico, it is important make altars for the dead or visits them in their tombs. Relatives, friends have to place their favorite food and decorate it flowers, usually when it begins on October 31st and ends on November 2nd.
During this time, Mexicans make sugar skulls to make a joke because they assume that the dead will eat themselves. Las calaveras or skulls are decorated with different colors and designs. The aromas of the food make the spirits happy and are able to enjoy what they loved before Not only there is food, but there is music and people dancing and singing to commemorate the dead. The altars have food, candles and colorful flowers to remember or show respect between the two worlds, the living and the dead.
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Sugar skulls? Yum!! It's very interesting how food is left at the alters for the dead, this seems to be a tradition that many cultures share!
ReplyDeleteI never knew that at first they would celebrate this holiday during July and August. I've always found that topic of trying to communicate with the dead kind of scary, I don't mess with those things. At the same time it is interesting to see how others embrace it within their culture and make sure that food plays an important role within it.
ReplyDeleteNice.. to me this goes beyond food and more with Cultures in mexico
ReplyDeleteI gotta admit I'm intrigued by these Sugar Skulls! =P
ReplyDeleteMy mother and myself celebrate the holiday but with all the Roman Catholic connotations, since we're both devoutly Catholic. Had no idea the tradition actually stretched back that far. Agree with Natalie, many cultures do seem to leave food at the hedgestones for the deceased, that seems to be pretty frequent in alot of cultures.
Once, I got a chance to celebrate this festival "Day of the Dead" while I was back in Minnesota. Even though this is not my culture, I participated and enjoyed the party. We shared stories about our beloved once, remembered them and appreciated that how they played an important role in our lives. Dead once should be remembered like this with the good memories,I like the culture.
ReplyDeletenice. i agree with you robinhood
ReplyDeleteMirian - I learned so much! However, next time, try to focus right in on the food symbolism angle and go into more depth (you spend more time on the holiday in general). Citations and grammer should be "upgraded" :)
ReplyDeleteI always wanted to know what exactly this holliday meant.
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