The Day of the Dead is important to many people. This is a holiday to remember loved ones who died and is celebrated by sharing a meal or making their favorite dish with family as a good way to remember them. This is a two-day holiday for celebrating death and life.
Dia De Los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, first originated in the early 1500’s and was celebrated in Central Mexico. The Aztecs, Native Americans who dominated northern Mexico, memorialized their dead for two months during the spring.
The Day of the Dead is celebrated over two days. November 1st and 2nd. Starting at 12 am on November 1 is “Dia De Los Angelitos” meaning “Spirits of the Children” and starting November 2nd at 12 am is “Dia De Los Difuntos” meaning “Spirits of the Adults.” The celebration culminates with “Dia De Los Muertos” meaning “Spirits of all the dead”.
Many people celebrate the dead by using skulls that are smiling to laugh at the dead itself. They also use “Flor De Muerto” or “Mexican Marigolds” as a pathway to guide spirits to their Ofrendas, meaning “Offerings”, which is what the whole celebration is about. It’s a collection of offerings for the ones who are being honored and loved.
Although I’m not Hispanic, my culture also celebrates this holiday the same way. My family is from the Philippines, but after being conquered by Spain for many years, we ended up having almost the same holidays and pronunciation. My family on this holiday would always celebrate Dia De Los Muertos in the cemetery all day, but after they flew here to the US, they stopped celebrating.
Thanks to this holiday, many people can still make memories with their loved ones, dead or alive.
