Dia De Los Muertos
Suppose you ever visit Mexico in November. You might question why there are many marigolds on the floor of families’ homes and a lot of colored skulls everywhere, well, in that case, that’s because Dia de los Muertos is right around the corner. Also known as Day of the Dead, it is a holiday celebrated throughout Latin American communities, primarily in Mexico. In this article, you’ll learn what it is and why they celebrate it, and what they do.
Day of the Dead is a multi-day holiday that takes place on November 1st and 2nd. The 1st day is to show our respect for the children, while the 2nd day is to show respect for the adults. They view death as a natural part of life; instead of showing any sadness, they view it as a joyful remembrance and celebration. A common well-known tradition they do is set up an ofrenda, known as an altar for their loved ones. They would place a photo, candles, and marigolds, which are used as lights, and guide the spirits of their loved ones back to their home. They would also place items that their loved one used to do, such as hobbies, along with their favorite foods and drinks.
Dia de los Muertos is a great way to honor our loved ones who have passed away, instead of moping about their passing. People may confuse Dia de los Muertos with Halloween; however, they have very different meanings and celebrations, although they do share some similarities, such as dressing up in costumes and going trick-or-treating. Furthermore, Day of the Dead is more joyful and respectful celebration while Halloween is more based on fear and scares.
Underneath this, you’ll find many unique Ofrendas taken at the DIA (Detroit Institute of Arts)
