Exploring The Significance And Unique Traditions Of Mexico’s Día De Los Muertos
Language
Reading Level
Listen to Article
Alignment
Día de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead, is a vibrant and colorful Mexican celebration honoring life and death. Observed annually on November 1 and 2, it offers an opportunity to remember and pay tribute to loved ones who have passed.
History and origin
The holiday's origin dates back thousands of years to the indigenous peoples of Mesoamerica, such as the Aztecs and Maya. They inhabited areas from northern Costa Rica to southern Mexico.
These ancient civilizations honored the deceased with month-long festivities featuring elaborate burial ceremonies and ornate shrines. When the Spanish conquered the regions in the 16th century, they introduced All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day to commemorate the dead. Over time, the two cultures blended, giving rise to the Day of the Dead as it is known today.
Altars
Every October 30 or 31, families build special altars, or ofrendas, to welcome their deceased loved ones. They are decorated with various items, each with a symbolic significance. Fragrant marigold flowers guide the spirits of the deceased to the altar. A sweet Mexican bread, known as pan de muerto ("bread of the dead”), along with jugs of water, helps feed and quench the thirst of the returning souls. Candles and incense represent the element of fire, while colorful paper banners signify the wind. These altars are taken down once the celebrations conclude on November 2.
Skeletons and skulls
The Day of the Dead's most recognizable symbols are calacas (skeletons) and calaveras (skulls). They adorn various items, from sweet treats to clothing, masks, and decorations. The brightly-colored smiling skulls symbolize the joy of celebrating the lives of those who have passed rather than mourning their loss.
Celebrations
The main festivities begin at midnight on November 1. This is believed to be when the border between the living world and the spirit world dissolves. This allows the deceased to cross over and reunite with their loved ones.
Families mark the occasion by cleaning the graves of loved ones and decorating them with flowers and candles. They also bring delicious foods and drinks to share with the spirits. Many even spend the night at the cemetery to keep their ancestors company.
Resources: History.com, Wikipedia.org, Unm.edu
Get the Workbook for this article!
Workbook contains: Article, Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking Questions, Vocabulary in Context (+ answers), Multiple Choice Quiz (+ answers), Parts of Speech Quiz (+ answers), Vocabulary Game (+ answers)Cite Article
Learn Keywords in this Article
10 Comments
slaygir2883 daysi love this article
gtornado284696 daysI love Dia De los muertos!!!!!
dogpeople60010 daysThis is a very cool celebration! I love all their face paint and dresses very cute!❤- aleahbracken11 daysLearning about Dia De los muertos was so cool!
hree014 dayswow
seriald-n15 daysLearning about Día De Los Muertos was so cool!
bunbunxinyi17 daysWow! We were learning about Dia de los Muertos in class today. It's so cool!
ajuni16 daysWe are learning about Dia de Los Muertos in class too!
- preppyqueen312917 daysIt cool but can the living see the dead
micdenmak15 daysOoo Good point
