Dia de los Muertos
by Kitty Felde
The two days following Halloween are special feast days: Day of the Dead, or Dia de los Muertos.
It’s a celebration that dates back 3,000 years when the death of loved ones was commemorated by the Aztecs, Mayans, Toltecs, Mixtecs, and Zapotecs, It was a public acknowledgement that death is part of the circle of life, but also that those who have passed from this earth physically are still with us in spirit.
After the arrival of Spanish conquistadors in Mexico in the 1500’s, Catholic priests incorporated the so-called “pagan” rituals into the Christian calendar. November 1 is All Saints Day, the day to celebrate those who have made it to heaven. November 2 is All Souls Day, the day to pray for the souls of the baptized who have died and are now in purgatory, a sort of waiting room before you can get into heaven. In other words, a place for people who aren’t perfect.
During the two days of Dia de los Muertos, souls of dead loved ones are believed to return, greeted by special altars. Traditionally, altars - or ofrendas - are decorated with pictures of departed loved ones, candles, and their favorite sweets. Symbols of the four elements - water, wind, earth, and fire - are represented. There are even traditional dances like the dance of the little old men - La Danza de los Viejitos - where boys dress up like old people, hobble around, then jump up and dance like crazy.
In many cemeteries, families gather to decorate graves and share a picnic with spiritual loved ones.
Until the 20th century, Dia de los Muertos was largely celebrated only in Mexico, Central America, and Haiti. In the 1970’s, the Chicano Movement brought attention to the holiday in America, where it has become part of pop culture.
Today, museums around the country feature special Dia de los Muertos altars by local artists. There are street festivals, skull - or calavera - makeup tutorials on TikTok and YouTube, even a Dia de los Muertos beer.
Read this excerpt about Dia de los Muertos in Welcome to Washington Fina Mendoza by Kitty Felde
COMING IN JULY 2023!
You can create your own altar to remember special members of your own family who have passed away, just like the one Fina and Gabby make in The Fina Mendoza Mysteries. Here’s a video to help you create papel picados - the traditional paper flags to decorate your altar.