Día de los Muertos

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Hello all! Today is our long awaited Día de los Muertos post!
 

Día de los Muertos or Day of the Dead, is actually a multi-day festival celebrated in Mexico with the amount of days differing depending on family and local traditions. The main celebration is traditionally held on the 1st of November with emphasis on familial gatherings and honouring those that have passed on. It does coincide with the Christian time of Allhallowtide 


Days of the Dead

Here are some dates and their meanings:

- November 1st. Starting at midnight, Día de los Angelitos, Day of Little Angels, is to celebrate children who have passed 

- November 2nd. At midnight,  the focus shifts from children to adults with Día de los Difuntos. At noon, the focus shifts again to Día de los Muertos 

- October 27th. The souls of dearly departed pets come to visit 

- October 31st. This day is specifically seen for great grandparents and great great grandparents 



Traditions 

Traditions vary but here are some things that stand out:

- Orange marigolds. These are a very important flower in Día de los Muertos. These specific flowers are said to attract the souls of those who have passed to offerings or to the homes of their descendents. They are also called cempasúchil but their original name was cempōhualxōchitl, which means 20 flowers in the Nāhuati (Aztec) language 

- Ofrendas. Ofrendas are private altars dedicated to the deceased. The contain foods, beverages, photos and other memorabilia of the departed persons. Ofrenas can be found within the home, on a gravesite or in a public area like a school or library with their purpose being to encourage souls to visit. Toys may also be given as offerings to children 

- Food. There are specific foods linked to Día de los Muertos. Pan de muerto (bread of the dead), sugar skulls (calaveras), candied pumpkin, tamales and foods favoured by the deceased play a big part in the festival. Foods used during this time are eaten by the living but the food is believed to lack nutrients as the souls have eaten the spiritual essence of the food 

- Calaverita. This is similar to trick or treating as children in costumes knock on doors or ask people for calaverita, which is a small present of money or sweets. The main difference between calaverita and trick or treating is that no mischief is acted out on those who don't give the kids a calaverita

- Calaveras literarias. Literally meaning Literary Skulls, calaveras literarias a shot rhyming poems which feature themes that are light-heartedly mocking and are dedicated to a specific person, living or dead. The person in question does not have to be a blood relative. This is a relatively new custom which started in either the 18th or 19th century 


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