Why I celebrate "Dia de Muertos"?

I will begin adding what, while in a near date to this traditional Mexican celebration, I wanted to give the freedom to talk to you, readers in other countries, about this important celebration for the Mexican people.

I will attempt to summarize a short introduction about this important date.

"El Día de Muertos" (Day of the Dead) goes back to the pre-Columbian times, starting with the ancient Mayas who, like other civilizations, believed that there was life after death and that, once a year, the souls of the dead arrived to visit their loved ones.   The Mayans used to prepare offerings to the deceased arrived to enjoy a snack after his arrival, and for his return to the "Xibalba", and prepared a path traced with flowers and incense so that they would not be lost or deviate from their path.   Eventually, born new civilizations in Mesoamerica, and all these inherited the same beliefs.   Without a doubt, one of outstanding civilizations in celebrate this day was the Aztec or Mexica civilization. The Aztecs had conceived a broader day cosmology, as offerings were not only performed during the burial of the deceased, if not that this celebration is prepared two months in advance corresponding to the now famous "Aztec calendar".   Even believed them, part of the offerings made with food, sacrificed dogs and silver pieces of jade, turquoise and gold for his return to the "Mictlan". According to their beliefs, once in Mictlan, the dogs help them crossing the road and precious stones were to make a payment.

When the Spaniards arrive at Mexico, and the evangelists knew this ritual, could not ignore the resemblance to a Catholic Spain celebration: "Día de los Fieles Difuntos y Todos los Santos" (Day of all souls and all saints), held on 1 and 2 November. Catholics could not ignore equally the fact that the native belief in life after death, as well as some mythologies of the Aztecs, were in large part to what is written in the Bible about the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Why, time after the conquest, to see natives clung to their "Pagan" beliefs, priests and Catholic monks decided to combine both traditions to then create what is today know as "Día de Muertos" (The day of the dead), mixing the Spanish symbolism with the traditional offerings of indigenous peoples.

In fact, El Día de Muertos is important within the Latin American culture that currently many Spanish speaking countries takes place, to the extent even in Brazil held it under the name of "Dia dos Finados", even if that version does not have the same pre-Columbian roots of this celebration. As well, is known in other countries, not necessarily speaking, that have adopted for the great contribution to human values.

It is so important that it has been declared patrimony of the humanity by UNESCO.

Thanks to the Spanish Catholics, today we can remember and respect the memory of our loved ones that were ahead of us on the road, and someday we'll see.

For that, this day is very important for Mexico.

And, well, answering to the question:

I, like many Mexicans, celebrate the day of the dead by all it represents: family ties and respect for our roots and our deceased beings.

Unfortunately, with the "boom" of becoming Christian fashion, many young people decide not to hold these dates. This is due to the new Protestant Christian groups claim, without any basis, that this day is closely related as Satanic, since the "preachers" ensures that the only one who had the right to resurrect is Jesus Christ, and that the others are demons disguised as our ancestors. Unfortunately, today's young people ignored that these new Protestant groups are handled by people who forget or ignore their roots.

Personally, I can not ignore find certain similar celebrations as the "All Hallows 'Eve', because in both cases, for example, becomes honorable mention to the deceased, believed in life after death, dates are very similar, in both cases gift sweets, the use of the colors black, orange and purple, and both beliefs occurred long before the proliferation of Christianity.

Unlike the now world-famous "Halloween", the day of the dead has no purpose or commercial principles and has not undergone many distortions from the time of the Colonial Mexico. Perhaps for this reason that currently the Christian Protestants have made a terrible confusion in the meanings of our customs. I think that I will ever know.

How can you celebrate or represent the day of the dead?

To begin, it is important to emphasize that on this day to display much with respect to your ancestors, and that different to what one thinks, is not allowed get drunk, party, etc. This, according to the beliefs of our forefathers, offended the dead.

This is done the days one and two of November. This is due to that one day is especially dedicated to children, and the other is for adults.

On this day, the best way to celebrate, is organizing a small family memorandum, gathering those who are no longer, and recalling the best moments that passed by their side.

To this must be prepared 1 day in advance (in some regions of Mexico made from 40 days before), a series of 9, 7 or 3 tables (this is due to some differences in beliefs), positioned as if they were steps. Each step represents a level of the Mictlan or of the Xibalba. In some parts, are three steps, as they represent the Catholic Church.

The tables must be covered by a blanket: this may be white or purple. You can just mingle. In some parts of the country they usually cover the tables with white blanket, and a purple is a line that goes from the bottom rung to the floor, as if it were a welcome.

Here is a picture as example:

Symbolism of the offering:

The offering for the dead is decorated with several elements. In some cases may be impossible to achieve. In some cases, they can be created by people in your community.

	Pan de Muertos:   It is bread sweetened with honey and sprinkled with sugar. It is characterized by ornaments of bones in its Center. Just as you do with other forms. Represents the body of the deceased.
	Flor de Cempaxúchitl:   Also known as "Flor de Muerto", it is distinguished by its strong aroma. The Aztecs believed that the smell of these flowers helped the deceased so that they do not lose. With this offering is adorned flower and is used to chart the way towards the offering. Since it is very difficult to get these flowers out of Mexico, you can use other flowers. That you like. Just make sure that they have a pungent but pleasant smell.
	Calabaza en Tacha:   It is a pumpkin sweet made in the form of stew. It is very important to this day.   The recipe can be found on the internet
	Inciense:   It is believed that the importance of the use of incense in this day is because the aroma helps the souls find their way to the altar. Incense can be aromatic and, if they can get a vessel of pewter, better.
	Tippical Foods:   Here in Mexico, by tradition, different dishes are prepared. The most common are the tamales, the "kids" to mole poblano, mole negro, etc. You can find equivalents in the typical food of your country.
	Calaveritas de Azúcar:   The sugar skulls are traditional and almost mandatory in the altar and offering of dead. They are sweet of sugar (the same can be manufactured with amaranth, chocolate, candy, etc.) which are given shape of skull and decorations of candy, meringue or any other type of confection is added. On the front of the skull is a small strip with the name or nickname of their loved ones. This is to remind you and show you that it is still wanted by the family.
	Vices of the Deceased:   The vices of the deceased are something that characterized. His taste for alcohol and tobacco. It is a funny way of remembering it. In the offering can be bottles of liquor, cigarettes, bottles of soft drinks, dolls or dolls, posters etc.
	Photographs of the deceased:   Are at the altar. It is to remind loved ones that they are no longer with us.
	Candels:   They are at the altar. Used to point the way.
	Crucifix:   The crucifix is placed at the top of the altar or offering. This is due to the combination of Spanish indigenous beliefs
	Fruits and vegetables:   It was believed that, like food, fruits and vegetables served the deceased fed upon arrival and take something for his return to the underworld. You don't have to be necessarily the typical fruits of Mexico. They can be the most used most commonly in your region
	Sweets:   Sweets are mainly placed on day 1. It is the day that the souls of children. The candies can be traditional or commercial candy.

NOTE: IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT THE OFFERING OR ALTAR THAT IS PERFORM OUTSIDE OF THE HOUSE. NEXT TO THE MAIN PREFERENCE OF DOOR. AND ALWAYS IS IMPORTANT TO PRAY FOR THOSE WHO YOU WERE. ON THE THIRD DAY, DAY 3 OF NOVIEMBREM, BEFORE REMOVING THE ALTAR, MUST PRAY AGAIN AND ASK THE DEAD REMOVE THE ALTAR. THE ALIMETNOS CAN BE CONSUMED LATER IN CASE THEY SERVE. THEY REMEMBER THAT THE ANCIENT INDIGENOUS PEOPLE KNEW THINGS THAT TODAY WE DO NOT UNDERSTAND.

Another thing that is very important in this day is to write "Calaveritas Literarias".

There are not many records from that era will begin to use, but the earliest records date from earlier in the year 1910, when the Liberals decided to mock the then-dictator Porfirio Díaz and other politicians of the era. The “Calaveritas Literarias” (literary skulls) are small quatrains rhyming, comic form, addressed to the deceased or to a still living person. In Mexico, for example, it is very common to write skulls for our politicians, mocking them and, in a friendly way, wishing death. (Hate them, ha ha ha ha...).

Features:

Ø  Are verses irreverent, written by way of epitaphs, portraying people as if they were dead.

 

Ø  They are used to channel feelings that, in another context, would be difficult to express.

 

Ø  They are usually accompanied by drawings of skulls.

 

Ø  They should rhyme.

Example of "Literary skull"

SKULL FOR FELIPE CALDERON HINOJOSA (CURRENT PRESIDENT OF MEXICO)

Spanish

Translated into English. (Obviously when translated, this does not create rhymes)

En una noche de noviembre Se encontraba Calderón dormido Soñando que era el nuevo presidente Gracias al voto no obtenido. De pronto, un ruido lo despertó Calderón gritando se preguntó: ¿Qué habrá sido eso? Era la muerte que al fin lo encontró… Felinillo no se quería ir Entonces intentando sobornar suplicó ¡Por favor no me lleves! Pero la flaca no aceptó. Pobre del presidente Calderón ¡Que amarga le supo la miel! Porque al tratarse de su vida No pudo comprar votos a favor de él. Este año comencé a poner su ofrenda Llena de flores y promesas sin cumplir, Ya llegó el día de muertos Y mi calavera voy a pedir.

On a November night was asleep Calderon dreaming that it was the new President through the vote not retrieved.   Suddenly, a noise it woke up screaming Calderon wondered: what will have been that?  It was death that finally found it...   Felinillo did not want to go then attempting to bribe pleaded please don't I carry!  But the skinny not accepted.   Poor President Calderon that bitter knew you honey!  Because it is your life could not buy votes in favour of.   This year I began to put his offering full of flowers and promises unfulfilled, because it came the day of the dead and my skull I seek.

 

Most of the "skulls literary" end up commenting on the desires that one has to put.

To finish:

El Día de Muertos is a tradition which, although swimming mix Catholic beliefs with the Indians, is 100% Mexican and increasingly is transmitted to the world.

It has a great importance, it conveys respect and union.

Remember, if you want to celebrate it, it is important to do it with the family.

Thank you.

Questions or comments, do not hesitate to write