Day of the Dead, known as Dia de Muertos is a Mexican holiday traced back to pre-Columbian era. It is a holiday celebrated throughout Mexico and many other countries worldwide. Day of the Dead focuses on family and friends gathering to remember their loved ones who have died. It’s specifically celebrated in Mexico. The holiday celebration has a one to three day duration time period. It takes place on October 1st, November 1st, and November 2nd of every year. There are several events that are related to the Day of the Dead. These events include honoring the deceased by using sugar skulls, marigolds, and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed. The holiday has spread throughout the whole world. In Brazil, Dia de Finados, is a holiday Brazilians celebrate by going to churches and cemeteries to pray and become close to their deceased loved ones. In Spain, festivals and parades are taken place and gather at cemeteries and also pray for their dead loved ones. Similarly, throughout Europe and many other continents such as Asia and Africa celebrate Day of the Dead.
During the pre-Hispanic era, skulls were commonly kept as souvenirs by family and friends of their deceased loved ones and presented the skulls during rituals to represent rebirth and death. The festivities that are celebrated originated from the Aztec calendar in the beginning of August. The celebrations that were put together were to recognize the goddess “Lady of the dead” who was one of the most popular figures of the Day of the Dead celebrations in Mexico.
The three day celebration is held in most regions of Mexico. November 1st recognizes the deceased infants and children which is Dia de los Inocentes (Day of the Innocents). November 2nd is honored to the de...
... middle of paper ...
...oyed when they were alive.
Most people for Halloween go all out when it comes to decorations such as decorating their homes or simply a Jack-o-lantern. Jack-o-lanterns are the first thing that comes to mind when the term Halloween is mentioned. A man whose name was Jack is the person behind the Jack-o-lantern story. He was not allowed to enter heaven or hell. Therefore he was left out in the streets on earth along so he had a lantern with him. Which is how the name “Jack-o-lantern was given. During Day of the Dead, families gather at the deceased graves in the cemetery to decorate the graves and candles are lit throughout the three day period. The offerings brought by the families differ. For example, if the deceased was a child, they would bring toys to be put on the grave. Families gather and spend the whole day at the graveyard which is considered a picnic.
In digging the day of the dead a distinction between Dia de los Muertos and Halloween is made, the purpose, to highlight the differences and showing the importance and significance of Dia de los Muertos. This ethnography begins by loosely describing Halloween in American culture, it is described as a day where “children dress up as grotesque corpses” and a celebration empty of historic or cultural significance and knowledge. The author Juanita Garciagodoy, later goes on to describe Dia de los Muertos in a romanticized way, by statin that the dead “are not forgotten or excluded from recollections, prayer, or holidays because they are no longer visible” Garciagodoy then goes on to tell a heartfelt story about a couple one holding on to tradition,
The infamous "Day of the Dead" or dia de los muertos actually takes place over a period of 2 days. It is the largest and most elaborate celebration in mexico all year long, its even bigger than Christmas. In the past, this period marked the time when the deceased could return to the world of the living and visit their loved ones, but now it is usually a time to celebrate, remember, and pray for their souls.
Why do people celebrate death? Many people including myself have wondered this, and when I first heard of the mexican holiday Dia De Los Muertos. Translated in english, day of the dead is a holiday where instead of mourning lost ones they remember their lost ones by making alters, decorating their graves with things they used to like or their favourite food and celebrate their life. This mexican tradition is now celebrated throughout the united states aswell and this year we decided to dedicate alters to people we lost in the battle against police brutality. We have lost so many souls in the past decade that a black lives matter movement was created. Its sad that it even had to get to this point but all we can do now is fight for change and
The hispanic culture has many traditions but another important one is el Día de Reyes and la Rosca de Reyes: It is a Mexican tradition that Mexicans celebrate. This used to be the real Santa Claus at least in Mexico and while kids aren’t complaining about getting gifts from both days, we shouldn't lose the beautiful tradition. Getting the family together to cut the Rosca de Reyes or Three Kings Bread, is a great tradition where if you get the muñequito or Niño Dios, and is found then you have to host a Tamal party on February 2 for the Candelabra.
...parts of the celebration, October 31st, November 1st, and finally November 2nd. On October 31st, it is seen that the kid’s souls return. November 1st is considered the adult’s day of returning, and November 2nd is when all souls have returned from the dead and there is a big celebration. People of Mexico celebrate by making many baked goods and cooking meals, making objects such as masks and decorating papers and toy coffins to prepare for the return of the souls.
In the Hispanic culture such as Guatemala and Mexico, the Dia de Los Mortos is celebrate on November 1st and 2nd. Families’ getter to go to the cemeteries together; they clean the graveyard and bring flowers to their loved ones. They also decorate skulls with the name of the departed written on the forehead. Many
Common rituals in Hispanic communities are the celebration of birthdays and the breaking of the piñata. The celebration of the girls’ 15 years, which is believed to be the age at which girls become women, with a big party, dance, food, etc. The Day of the Dead (celebrated in November) is a day to remember friends and family members that have passed away. That day people make a big party as well. Hispanics usually celebrate Christmas’ Eve and New Year’s Eve with lots of food, friends and family. The Three Kings (Los Reyes Magos) is in January (similar to Santa Claus), and they are supposed to bring toys to the
In the Hispanic culture, The Day of the Dead is a very special holiday celebrated in Hispanic communities. The Day of The Dead is a celebration that last two days. It occurs on November 1 and 2. On November 1, they have a celebration for the young. On November 2, they give honor to family members who have passed away. Traditionally they set up alters in their homes with pictures, candles, foods, and many other decorations. They believe this holiday connects them to their dead ancestors and allows the spirits to be welcomed back. It is one of the biggest celebrations in Hispanic communities and is a very meaningful celebration. One of the specific holidays that is celebrated in the US is called Martian Luther King Jr. Day. This day is in honor of Martian Luther King Jr. and his fight for civil rights. His actions have had a huge impact on America and has become a role model for not only African Americans, but for everyone. He died for fighting for what was right and is honored on this day only in America. Both the Hispanic and US cultures have their own specific holidays only celebrated in these
Different cultures have different holiday traditions. At this time of year different cultures are preparing to celebrate Halloween or the Día de los Muertos.These two holidays occur around the same time of year. October 31st is Halloween and the Day of the Dead begins on November 1st and ends on November 2nd. Halloween is an American tradition and the Day of the Dead is celebrated in Mexico, and other Latin American countries. Both holidays share some similarities but also have some differences.Some common themes between the two holidays are food and religion. For example, Pumpkin is associated with both holidays. And Christianity is the religion associated with both holidays. The symbols for these holidays share some similarities , for example skulls. While Halloween also is associated with ghosts and witches. A big
First things first, let’s talk about the food! On The Day of The Dead, the Mexicans who celebrate this holiday eat many things including something called ‘el pan de muerto.” This round, sweet bread is essential when celebrating the day of the dead. Another dish eaten is something called mole. This is a spicy chocolate sauce that is eaten on this holiday or even on a normal day. Onto Halloween, this holiday is mainly celebrated in America and involves lots of sweets that children eat. Nothing on this holiday is homemade and everything thing is
In total, it is a three-day celebration starting on October thirty-first and reaches to November second. Celebrating death and honoring the dead are its focal points. It is believed that during this time, the spirits of those who have died return to their earthly homes, where they are made welcome with gifts, flowers, and food (“Mexico” 218-226). In Mexico, festivals to honor the dead have been celebrated for hundreds of years, beginning in the fifteenth century when the Aztec controlled the region. These early festivals were meant to honor the Aztec god of death and were held during harvest time (“Halloween and Festivals of the Dead” 195-209). The Aztec also honored their dead during the month-long harvest celebration. As a part of these celebrations, many prisoners of war were sacrificed to the Aztec sun and war god, Huitzilopochtli (“Mexico”
The Day of the Dead or Dia de Los Muertos, is an ancient festivity that has been transformed throughout the years, and was originated in Mexico. But now these celebrations occur in many countries: South America, Europe, Asia, and various states of the United States. Día de los Muertos is a day of commemoration an opportunity for individuals to come together to focus on their loved ones who have passed away, and to honor, revere, and celebrate their memory. It is a time when families remember their dead and the continuity of life.
El Dia de los Muertos was brought to the United States when Mexican-Americans underwent a cultural reawakening in the early 1970s. The holiday's popularity has since spread to other races and cultures. The Day of the Dead celebrates life past and present, and not just death alone. Revelers construct ofrendas, the offerings of food, drinks, cigarettes, toys, and candy, set out for returning souls. Revelers take joy in honoring the dead, usually with music, dancing, crafts and food.
Cinco de Mayo basically means what it says, the fifth of May. It is not an independence day for Mexico like most ignorant people think. Mexican
The subject of death and dying can cause many controversies for health care providers. Not only can it cause legal issues for them, but it also brings about many ethical issues as well. Nearly every health care professional has experienced a situation dealing with death or dying. This tends to be a tough topic for many people, so health care professionals should take caution when handling these matters. Healthcare professionals not only deal with patient issues but also those of the family. Some of the controversies of death and dying many include; stages of death and dying, quality of life issues, use of medications and advanced directives.