Autumn Challenge

Hello everyone, this is my Autumn events challenge contribution. I will be talking about Day of the Dead in this post. Enjoy!

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Ⅰ. Day of the Dead (Dia de Los Muertos) is a Mexican celebration when families gathered to honor the memory of deceased loved ones. Spirits are guided home to enjoy offerings left for them on meticulously crafted alters. Its roots are the fusion of traditions found in Europe and Mesoamerica, particularly the ancient Aztec empire. Despite its macabre motifs, death was considered a new life by the Aztecs. Along with the Day of the Dead spirits, the popularity of this colorful and jovial holiday has risen exponentially in the U.S and other Mexican diasporas.

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Ⅱ. Mesoamerican roots

Day of the Dead pre-Columbian routes involves many Mesoamerican civilizations such as Aztecs, Toltecas, Chichimec, and Tepaneca. They each commemorated dead at specific times based on the age of the person who ed and the manner in which the person died.

These indigenous people included skull iconography as an element of Day of the Dead. Spanish colonists view the celebration of death as a dangerous precursor of civil disorder, however, and successfully integrated the Christian All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ day. This is why crosses and images of the Virgin Mary are part of today's celebrations.

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Ⅲ. Honoring death

Family's honor the memory of their deceased loved ones by making altars and decorating graves. Preparation begins weeks in advance. Families first clean and decorate the graves of their dearly departed, then have a picnic and celebrate at the cemetery all night.

Alters are often made in homes and demonstrate the love and dedication of those left behind toward those who have ed. Sometimes Alters make political statements and are dedicated to a theme rather than a person, such as the death of public education or lives lost by those trying to cross the border.

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Ⅳ. “La Calavera Catrina”

A zinc etching by late Mexican Jose Guadalupe Posada has become a major Day of the Dead icon. Posada meant to satirize Mexican natives who felt were over-embracing European traditions of aristocracy in the pre-Revolutionary era. Because of Posada’s contribution, today's Day of the Dead celebration includes a healthy dose of social and political commentary.

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Ⅴ. Day of the Dead

The date of the celebration depends on who is being honored.

November 1st: Children are honored.

November 2nd: Adults are honored.

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What an alter can include:

Ⅵ. Fire: Visiting souls are illuminated from the shadow of death by candles. Each one represents a departed soul. Additional candles are added for forgotten souls.

Ⅶ. Wind: Colorful flowing punched paper called “papel picado” let's loved ones know when the spirits have arrived.

Ⅷ. Earth: The soul is nourished by favorite family dishes that represent the crops of the Earth. Common Edibles include fruit, chocolate, and “atole”.

Ⅸ. Favorite toys: For spirits of children.

Ⅹ. Calacas: Are decorative masks and skulls.

Ⅺ. Sugar skulls: Are tastefully decorated and inscribed on the forehead with names of both honored and living recipients.

Ⅻ. Photographs: Other people the altars dedicated to helping loved ones to them while they were in the prime of their lives.

XIII. Christian iconography: Such as a Virgin Mary and Holy Cross reveal the holiday’s European roots.

XIV. “Copal” incense: The burning of “copal”, an amber-colored tree resin, dates back to the Aztec Empire. It’s sent, which some say smells like bones, are set to guide the dead to the feast at the altar. Aztecs used it during indigenous rituals to transmit their prayers and praises. It's continued use today commemorates Mexico's pre-Columbian history.

XV. Flower of the Dead: Marigolds have a strong scent that is said to attract the spirit of the dead. Petals are used to make a pathway leading toward that alter that is also heavily adorned with the flower. Loved ones also use marigolds to decorate the graves of their dearly departed.

XVI. Bread of the Dead: “Pan de Muerto” is a sweet bread decorated with bones running across the top and a single teardrop atop the center of the bun representing sorrow.

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XVII. There are many people that also paint their faces to represent a skull.

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XVIII. And lastly, there are many people that create events for Day of the Dead. These events include music, entertainment, food, and lots of fun. A main part of it is the dancing. An example of this is Mexican Folklorico and Aztec dancing.

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P.S: I’ll be later making another separate Autumn post about Halloween.

#Autumnchallenge