The Day of the Dead

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.

Food

Food can satisfy everyone in different levels. It can provide energy for our bodies to keep on living. Food is a comfort or a dislike to our stomach. People who love to cook can express themselves. They use their talent to enchant or make you sick. For centuries, families use their meal time as an opportunity for each member to communicate and share about their day. People can also be represented as a whole. For example, in different cultures, food can represent or symbolize a belief, celebration or any important occasion. In Mexico, El Dia de los Muertos or the Day of the Dead, people bake human shaped bread and cook other food to remember their beloved ones. This unique celebration reveals their beliefs about the dead.
In literature, food can represent different things .Laura Esquirel uses food to represent Tita’s feeling in the novel Like Water for Chocolate. Tita’s actions are controlled by her mother but in the kitchen, Tita is free. She is able to express her feeling in her cooking. The very first chapter of the book, Tita cooks Christmas rolls. In this occasion it represents the beginning of Tita’s and Pedro’s love. She expresses her love and desires in her cooking. Tita’s food is a way of communicating with Pedro since their love is forbidden.
In conclusion, everyone needs food to survive. We enjoy eating it and spending time with our family. At the same time, reading about food, we can learn about culture. In my opinion, food plays an important role in society and individually. It affects the way the world views our culture and how food makes us feel that day.