By Roman Soto
Children eagerly sprint to decorate their sugar skulls as adults carefully arrange the family pictures and offerings to set the colorful altar that honors the unique traits behind ancestors. This familiar scene on November first marks the beginning of a resplendent two-day traditional celebration in Latin culture: Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead. A day of celebration in Latin America, Dia de los Muertos emphasizes the importance of family and appreciation for the memories of ancestors who have passed. Smiling, laughing, and singing, families participate in rich cultural traditions such as ethnic dances and collaborative decorations. Dia de los Muertos is a rich celebration that surfaces individual household heritage yet highlights broader recurrent traditions incorporated into many family celebrations.
Sugar Skulls
Sugar skull decoration represents one of the many creative and enjoyable activities on Dia de los Muertos. With a colorful array of frostings to select from, many people carefully and laboriously decorate their skulls to display for their friends and family. Although these sweet skulls are edible, most people resort to simply decorating instead of eating them, but who’s to say a few tastes are too much?
Altars
As one of the more traditional recurring aspects of Dia de los Muertos, families strive to illustrate their ancestors as best as possible through colorful stands known as altars. Preferably set with images of the ancestors, the visual reminiscence of when they were alive causes a flood of memories and emotions. Families place symbolic offerings on their altar that represent an ancestor’s favorite foods or activities to attract their ancestral spirit. Altars succeed in commemorating ancestors while spiritually connecting the land of the living and the land of the dead. (reword)
Papel Picado
Papel Picado, a brightly colored thin piece of paper with an intricate design carved within, adds to Dia de los Muertos’ radiant atmosphere. These traditional Mexican decorations are often hung around altars or throughout the streets as each designed paper represents a family’s craftsmanship and creativity.
Cempaczutchil flowers
One of the most faithful and spiritual symbols incorporated into Dia de los Muertos’ tradition, Cempaczutchil flowers or marigolds serve as decorations in many household altars. Families carefully lay the aromatic flower petals throughout the streets as pathways for their ancestor’s spirits to follow so they can reunite once again.
Once a year, families strenuously prepare for the proliferated festivities of Dia de los Muertos. Not only is Dia de los Muertos a remembrance of family heritage and spiritual reunification with those who have passed on, but also it strengthens bonds between family members. The rich legacy Dia de los Muertos passes on from generation to generation results in the diversified, yet deeply rooted traditions practiced by family households all over Latin America.