Day of the Dead
Dia de Los Muertos, or Day of the Dead celebrations date back to the indigenous tribes of Central and South America. The Aztec people had similar celebration (though it was in August and a month longer), honoring children and the dead. Central to its observation, was the goddess Mictecacihuatl of the underworld, known as the Lady of the Dead. It was the Aztecs who used marigolds to draw the spirits to the items placed at their graves for their enjoyment -- candy, toys for the children and alcohol. When the Spanish arrived in the 1400s, they combined their Catholic ways with local traditions and Dia de Los Muertos as we know it, was born. Today, many build altars in their homes, but they also celebrate in graveyards, in some parts of Mexico, it is even customary to spend the night at graveyards. Some people write joking epitaphs of friends, special foods are prepared for the day (such as sugar skulls and Bread of the dead -- in shapes of rabbits or skulls.) Often cartoons with skeletons in them appear in the paper.
It's too bad that this day isn't celebrated all over the city, as we could all do with a little time to remember our loved ones and celebrate their lives.
posted by kuaptic. @ 9:44 AM
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