Dia de los Muertos

One of the oldest and most important holidays celebrated in Mexico, Day of the Dead, is a confusing and difficult holiday for Americans to understand.  Dating back to the 16th century, when the Spaniards arrived to the land known as Mexico, the natives were practicing a ritual that seemed to mock death.  With skulls and skeletons as symbols for this holiday, it ended up being a collaboration of how the Spaniards celebrated All Souls Day and how the Aztecs and natives were celebrating the dead.  Since Americans are usually taught to mourn those that have died and have been taught that our ancestors who have passed away is a sad thing, this holiday is very difficult for some Americans.

Mexicans choose to celebrate Day of the Dead over a three day period that happens to coincide with Halloween.  A lot of Americans think that Day of the Dead is Mexico's Halloween, but it's very different.  Mexicans believe that on All Souls Day, November 1st, and Day of the Dead, November 2nd, their loved ones will come down to visit.  So, they create an altar as an offering to their loved one that welcomes them with their favorite foods, drinks, incense, flowers, bread, and adornments like skulls and skeletons.  If you notice, all the skulls and skeleton figures are smiling because these days are meant bring happiness.

Families will clean their homes and the grave sites of their loved ones who have passed away on October 31st.  This day is thought of a day of preparation.  They will also go into town to the market to purchase things needed for the altar such as copal, cempasuchil, pan de muerto, chapulines, and other things.  On November 1st, All Souls Day, Mexicans celebrate any children who have died by sitting at the grave site and telling stories, walking in parades, dressing up as skeletons and skulls, and spending time with family.  Lastly, on November 2nd, the entire day and evening is meant to be a celebration of other loved ones who have passed.  It's another day to spend with family at the grave site or by where they set up their altar.

Every year, for my Spanish 3 class, I have been lucky to take my class on a field trip to Mexican Town in Detroit to see the Day of the Dead displays at various shops, restaurants, and a church.  This year, even though I was on maternity leave with Evan, I was still able to go (thanks to my parents who watched Evan).  We went to St. Anne's Catholic Church, which always has a beautiful altar set up for different loved ones each year.

 

From there, we take the students to some authentic Mexican shops, a Tortilla factory and a welcome center for them to see products sold for Day of the Dead like sugar skulls, papel picado, and authentic altars.  

 Lastly, we end the trip with my favorite part: lunch buffet at Los Galanes restaurant and a trip to La Gloria bakery across the street!  I was shocked that I could even find a few things to eat with no dairy - like crispy beef tacos, chicken taquitos, chips, and salsa, rice and a churro!  Yum!

It's taken years of studying Spanish and teaching it to finally have a true appreciation for the Mexican holiday, Day of the Dead.  While they are not being disrespectful or distasteful to the dead, they are choosing to celebrate the life and memories they had with those that were in their life.  Yesterday, on November 2nd, while in Mexican Town with my students, I couldn't help but think of the wonderful memories I have of my Grandpa Frank and my Nanny Bonnie.  Rest in peace.