The Tradition of the “Dia de los Muertos”
You might haven’t heard about this tradition before, but seeing movies and pop cultures will ring a bell. Let us give you a hint – Disney’s heartfelt movie Coco took the celebration as the main theme. Also, James Bond’s movie Spectre featured the celebration in its opening scene. Spooky yet artistic skull makeup painted on people’s faces, colorful flowers adorn women’s hair, cheerful paper decorations, and spectacular carnivals. Mexico lights up during Dia de Los Muertos or the Day of the Dead. It is an important annual celebration that takes place close to Halloween. But what are the customs, traditions, and history behind this day? In which Mexican city can you best experience it? We will tell you everything there is to know about Halloween in Mexico!
Halloween vs. Dia de Los Muertos
Halloween is traditionally a dark night of terror and disaster. People believed it was the only night of the year when witches and ghosts haunted the world of the living. On October 31st, Halloween parties are to be held here for the young and old alike. Scary faces are carved into pumpkins, and witches, devils, skeletons, and ghosts walk through the streets. Children knock on doors and then ask, “trick or treat?” Religious people might go to the cemetery the following day and commemorate the deceased.
Halloween in Mexico is not really “halloween”. Instead, it is an important and sacred cultural event. Like Halloween, Dia de Los Muertos recognizes death and spirits as a big part of it. Although the theme here is death, the Mexicans celebrate a joyful festival because they are happy to see the deceased again. According to ancient Mexican belief, the dead come to visit from the afterlife once a year. With decorated streets, colorful disguises, great make-up, music, food, and dance, they remember the deceased and celebrate life. This festivity is so unique that in 2003 UNESCO declared the Dia de Los Muertos a masterpiece of the oral and immaterial heritage of humanity.
There is an understandable reason why Dia de Los Muertos got the name “Mexican Halloween”. The holiday is celebrated on November 1st and 2nd, which is only a day or two days away from Halloween. However, the dates may vary based on the locality in Mexico. Besides that, Dia de Los Muertos come with spooky makeup, theme of death, and celebrations that are similar to Halloween. Nonetheless – the Day of the Dead or Dia de Los Muertos is Mexico’s original tradition that is exciting to witness.
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Celebration of Halloween in Mexico or Dia de Los Muertos
People in Mexico is always excited about Dia de Los Muertos. Already days before, the families start decorating the colorful altars or ofrendas. Each family has their own altar, which displays the photos of their deceased loved ones along with marigold flowers, religious items, and many more. Besides that, the family puts delicacies such as sugar skulls (“Calaveras de Dulce”), the traditional sweet skull bread (“Pan de Muerto”), skeletons, and coffins made of marzipan and incense. Sometimes, the family serves drinks in the altar. Food and drinks on the altar become a feast for the deceased, which they can enjoy after a long journey from the afterlife.
The streets and houses are decorated with “Papel Picado” (silhouettes of colored paper), and the path from the cemetery to the altars is decorated with orange-yellow flowers (“Cempasúchil”). These are meant to serve as signposts because the orange-yellow color represents the light of the sun’s rays, which is supposed to attract and guide the souls of the dead. Processions, concerts, and other festivities take place in the streets. Many Mexican women disguise themselves as the famous skeleton lady “La Catrina,” who has become a classical symbol for the “Dia de Los Muertos.”
On the night of October 31st, the souls of the deceased children (Angelitos) are received. As soon as the sun sets on November 2nd, the families meet at the graves in the cemetery, bring gifts to the deceased, and celebrate the end of the “Day of the Dead.” There is plenty to drink and eat, there is singing, dancing, and laughing together. So everything but a sad farewell party!
Best Places to Experience Halloween in Mexico or Dia de Los Muertos
Every city in Mexico celebrates the Day of the Dead. Many villages have naturally developed their own traditions. In Tuxtepec, in the state of Oaxaca, for example, the altars are also decorated with carpets made of sawdust. Colorful religious and flower motifs decorate these carpets. The town of Tuxtepec holds a competiton for the most magnificent sawdust carpet each year. Oaxaca is the cultural capital of Mexico and one of the best places to celebrate the Dia de Los Muertos!
Dia de Los Muertos is a spectacular celebration that you would want to attend. Cheerful atmosphere, unique traditions, and heartwarming coming-together of the day will enrich your horizon. So, do you want to experience the jubilant atmosphere of Dia de Los Muertos this year? JoinMyTrip got your covered!
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