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Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos)
All Saint's Day is the famous Day of Dead (Dia de los Muertos) celebration... Of the countless religious festivals, this the most
spectacular and closest to the indigenous spirt. Not only does it
tighten the family nucleus but it strengthens community relationships,
while the placing of offerings on family altars continues a tradition that
dates from pre-columbian times.
Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is celebrated throughout the country on November 1st and 2nd, it is a highly charged moment which reveals the depths of the Mexican's spirituality and their ambivalent relationship
with death. The Mexicas; during their rule were known as the "people of death", believing that after a fleeting encounter with life, man entered the realm of nine underworlds in the infinite cycle of the cosmic process... Two months of the years were dedicated to worshipping the dead - one for the departed children and the other for adults.
Today the preparations begin the preceding weeks craftsmen achieve heights of fantasy making elaborate altars destined for private homes, bakers and confectioners surpass themselves creating minature candy coffins and animals... Market places spill over the inventive goods and wreaths, candle-sticks, incense-burners, pots and sugar calaveras (skulls)... Women prepare traditional dishes to be placed on the altar: mole. deserts, tamales... Church bells start tolling on the evening of October 31st to annouce the visit of child spirts, and continue throughout the next day to herald the arrival of the adult souls.
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