By Joy Bernardo

Halloween (which falls on October 31st) has an aura of horror and fright but on November 1st and 2nd, there is another holiday that’s not so dark and gloomy. The Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos) is a holiday tradition where we celebrate the lives of those that we’ve lost. This tradition is honored and observed in Mexico and other Latin American countries, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t enjoy the festivities as well.

What is the Day of the Dead?

No, I’m not talking about a Romero movie. In fact, this tradition has quite the opposite effect.

Tradition states that the gates of heaven are opened on the 31st of October and our loved ones who have died are allowed to visit us for 24 hours. It’s a day pass to spend with family and friends. It is said that spirits of children visit on November 1st, while the spirits of adults swing by on the 2nd.

For some of the more rural cities and towns in Mexico and Latin America, this can be a costly celebration but they still honor it because their love for those who have passed is more important. They save up for months so that they can properly honor their sweethearts, family members, and friends that have died. They also believe that this tradition keeps their family close, even those who have passed.

The Mexican Sugar Skull

In most cultures, a skull is a ban omen. Seeing one on Halloween often instills fear in children and adults alike. However, during this celebration, skulls are seen everywhere. Some participants wear masks. Others wear necklaces adorned with decorative skulls to help awaken their beloveds’ spirits when they visit their gravesite.

Another way that skulls are used in this celebration is with the Mexican Sugar Skull. These are decorated, candied, skull shaped sugar treats. If you have a sugar skull mold (which you can buy online or at most Mexican grocery stores around this time), you can make some of your own at home. The only ingredients that you need are granulated sugar, powdered sugar, meringue powder, and water. It sounds easy enough but it’s a precise process. You can find the instructions here: http://www.mexicansugarskull.com/sugar_skulls/instructions.html

Around The World

The spirit of this holiday transcends many boundaries. You can find that all around the world people memorialize the lives of their dearest on November 1st and 2nd by celebrating either the Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos) or “All Saints Day” (Todos los Santos), which has more of a family reunion feel.

Other than commemorate the dead on their birthdays, America doesn’t really have a holiday to commemorate their lives. Here the concept of death is ominous and frightening. We don’t bridge the gap between the dead and the living because we fear it but perhaps it is something that doesn’t need to be feared.

Celebrating someone’s life is like honoring his legacy. They’ve done so much for us, why not honor them after they’ve passed on?

How do we celebrate the “Day of the Dead” if we’re not in Mexico or Latin America?

No matter where you are in the world, the Day of the Dead is a time of celebration. It is a time where we can cherish the life of our loved ones – a time where we can feel close to them again. If you want to partake in the celebrations, here’s what you can do:

1) Build An Altar

Build an altar for your loved one(s) at your home. Things to include in this alter would be his favorite foods and various trinkets that remind you of him. Make sure to decorate it with candles and flowers. Make it festive and inviting.

Spend some time telling stories about him at the altar with your family and friends. Remember, this is a time that honors his life, in hopes that he will come visit you. Rejoice in his legacy with your family.

2) Write Calaveras

Calaveras are funny stories and poems about the person who has gone on. Not only will this help you remember the good times, but it will help his spirit feel close to you again.

3) Visit His Grave

Dust off his grave and spruce it up. Decorate it with offerings like marigolds (which are considered to be the “Flower of the Dead”). In tradition, marigolds are thought to attract the souls of those who have passed on. Bring more of his favorite things and lay it down on his grave.

4) Set Up A Rest Stop

Road trips and plane rides are hard on your body. Just imagine how hard it would be to travel in the spirit world. Lay out some pillows and blankets near the altar (not so close to the candles though) so that your loved one can rest after his long journey.

5) Make Dinner or Breakfast

Tradition states that your loved one will eat the “spiritual essence” of the food that you prepare for him. Ritual offerenda (or offering) foods include Mexican sugar skulls, candied pumpkin, bread of the dead (pan de muerto), and atole (which is like a Mexican hot chocolate). Of course, after his spirit consumes the “spiritual essence” of the food, you can’t let the rest of it go to waste, so feel free to snack on the treats after the celebration.

6) Celebrate!

Dance with your friends and family. Celebrate his spirit. Remember the good times. Drink his favorite drinks. This isn’t a time to mourn his loss but, rather, to immortilize his life.

We may have lost some of our beloved family and friends but that doesn’t mean that we can’t honor them and remember all that they’ve done for us. They have left an impression on us that can’t be taken away. The Day of the Dead is a way to show respect to their lives, show them how much we care, and how we will never forget them.

Sources:

WikiHow: http://www.wikihow.com/Celebrate-Day-of-the-Dead-%28Dia-De-Los-Muertos%29

Sheppard Sofware: http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/Mexicoweb/factfile/Unique-facts-Mexico16.htm