What is Day of the Dead?
Day of the Dead, or el Día de los Muertos, is a Hispanic holiday that celebrates dead family, friends, and animals. On November 1, they celebrate the souls of lost children, November 2nd, adults who have passed, and November 3rd, pets who have passed. The celebration includes traditional foods and drinks. People who celebrate Día de los Muertos believe that the gates of Heaven open up at midnight on October 31st, and the souls of loved ones reunite with their families.
The origins of Day of the Dead go back 3,000 years; to the Aztecs that inhabited what is now modern-day central Mexico. They believed when somebody would die, they would travel to Chicunamictlán, the Land of the Dead. After reaching The Land of the Dead, they would have to go through seven challenges; which equates to a journey that would last multiple years. Once getting through the seven challenges, they would reach Mictlán, the final resting place. The Aztecs would offer food like pan de muerto and drinks to aid them with their journey. This is why there is a tradition of putting a variety of foods and drinks on altars as offerings for their loved ones on the Day of the Dead.
A Spanish teacher, Ms. Metry, has personally experienced these celebrations. During her travels in Mexico, she was able to witness firsthand how Día de los Muertos was celebrated. The holiday is meant to celebrate the dead, and “Everything is meant to represent family,” said Ms. Metry. Vibrant marigolds, bright colors, and sugar skulls, it’s all a part of the culture. It’s not meant to be a day of mourning, but rather represents life and honors loved ones who have passed. “The Day of the Dead is all about celebration,” said Ms. Metry. In Hispanic countries, extravagant parades and celebrations are thrown while people sell foods and festive items at the plaza for everyone to enjoy.
Another Spanish teacher, Mrs. Rubio, explained, “The meaning of Day of the Dead is its a celebration of life, it’s remembering the people that are no longer with us, and there’s of course the belief that on Day of the Dead, the spirits of loved ones that are gone get to visit us again.”
An ofrenda is an altar that represents a deceased loved one. A picture of the loved one is put on the ofrenda. Candles, marigolds, and food offerings are put on the ofrenda; all objects that the loved one liked when they were alive. According to Mrs. Rubio, “Everything that you put on the altar has a significance.” The fire from the candles are used to light the way for the spirit, the picture is used so they don’t mistake someone else’s ofrenda with theirs, the pan de muerto and water is to nourish the spirit from their long journey, the flower of the dead is used for its strong smell to lead the spirit to the right place, and salt purifies the soul.
Sophomore student, Alexa Arechiga, personally celebrates Día de los Muertos with her family. They put up an altar, with candles, flowers, bread, candy, and other decorations. The ofrenda her family put up are celebrating her passed grandparents by putting photographs of them on the altar.
Día de los Muertos is a holiday to remember and honor loved ones, not as a day of mourning, but as a day of celebration and fun, with food, treats, and festive parades.
