Many cultures and countries mourn and celebrate the lives of those who have passed away. In the United States, a person’s death may be observed with a funeral, a memorial service, or a celebration of life.
In Mexico, the death of loved ones is celebrated on November 1st and 2nd each year during a holiday called Día del los Muertos or Day of the Dead. Día del los Muertos dates back several thousand years to the Aztec, Toltic and Nuhua people. Although this holiday tradition started in Mexico, it is also celebrated in countries throughout Latin America, South America, and in the Caribbean. This colorful, two-day celebration each year is a way to keep loved one’s who have passed away alive in memory and in spirit. Interesting facts about this annual holiday include:
Altars | Ofrendas
The center of this holiday for families is an altar that is built in family homes or in cemeteries. These altars are filled with offerings for the spirits including water, food, photos, and a candle for each dead relative. If one of the spirits is that of a child, small toys may also be placed on the altar. Marigolds are the main flowers used on the altars; marigold petals can be scattered to help guide wandering souls back to their resting place.
Literary Calaveras
A practice started in the late 18th and early 19th centuries were short, humorous poems written as tombstone epitaphs (an inscription on a tombstone in memory of the person who died) that were published in the newspaper to poke fun at the living. Over time, literary calaveras became part of the Día de los Muertos celebration and can be found in print or heard on broadcasts on radio or television.
Skulls | Calaveras
The use of skulls in the celebration dates to the early 20th century when Mexican cartoonist Jose Guadelupe Posada used an illustration of a French dressed skeleton with the quote “Todos somos calaveras” | “We are all skeletons”, meaning underneath, we are all the same.
Artist Diego Rivera introduced the calavera Catrina (elegant skull) in 1947 in his 50-foot mural “Dream of a Sunday Afternoon in Alameda Park” where hundreds of characters from 400 years of Mexican history gather to stroll through Mexico City’s largest park. The calavera Catrina has become commonly used in Día de los Muertos celebrations.
Food
It wouldn’t be a holiday without food and many families place their dead loved one’s favorite meal on the altar to nourish them as they travel from the spirit world to the world of the living for the celebration. Pan dulce (Sweet bread) and sugar skulls are also left on the altars as offerings.
Costumes
Although each family celebrates their deceased loved ones in the home, Día de los Muertos is a holiday with activities in the streets and public squares throughout the two days. People dress as skeletons wearing elaborate makeup, colorful suits, and dresses, and participate in numerous festivities.
Papel Picado | Tissue Paper with Cut-out Shapes
This Mexican paper craft is used for many Mexican holidays and is draped on altars and in the streets during Día de los Muertos celebrations.
Source credit: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/top-ten-day-of-dead-mexico
Written by : Kathy O'Connell Clem
Kathy O’Connell Clem, CPM®, MA, owner of Vast Coaching Resources, Inc., is a multifamily real estate specialist and Texas Real Estate broker with a Master of Arts in Organizational Management and Development and an Evidence Based Coaching Certification. Over her 40+ year professional career, Kathy has managed operations of apartment communities in more than 16 markets throughout the United States with portfolios of up to 16,000 apartment homes for private, fee managed, and public companies. Her property management background includes experience in communities from new construction, high-rise luxury buildings, mid-rise, garden style, income restricted, tax credit, section 8 voucher, and HAP contract assets.
