Throughout the 200,000 years humans have been on earth, we have always been intrigued, frightened and fascinated with death. While in the United States we poke at death every October 31st by dressing up as monsters, carving jack-o’-lanterns and filling our bellies with candy on Halloween. Something very different and peculiar happens in Mexico only two days later, something we call El Día de los Muertos.
Since pre-Hispanic times, the natives in Mexico have had a heighten appreciation for the dead. The colonization of the new world came with the ideas of Hell and Heaven, and despite the imposition of a new religion, the ancient traditions of worshiping death have survived until today, becoming one of the most iconic holidays around the world.
The Day of the Dead is a colorful celebration that happens every November 2nd all over Mexico to commemorate those who are gone, but not forgotten. The dead are honored with nationwide festivities that involve setting up joyful altars for them and people having gatherings at graveyards. Where they lit candles, pray, bring cempasuchil flowers, sugar skulls, pan de muerto (dead bread) and meaningful offerings for the dead. This day the souls of the dead come back to join their loved ones to comfort them and celebrate together for one more night.
At Lara Media we have set up our own altar to remember those who have left us but we hold so dear to our heart. ¡Feliz Día de los Muertos!
Written by:
Raul Wong & Jovanny Evans
Sources:
Rodríguez, Patricia Beatriz Denis. Hermida Moreno, Andrés. Huesca Méndez, Javier. “El altar de muertos: origen y significado en México”. La Ciencia Y Hombre Volume XXV No 1. 2012. Web. 10 27 2014
<<http://www.uv.mx/cienciahombre/revistae/vol25num1/articulos/altar/>>