This week I will be focusing on Dia De Los Muertos and share some pictures from a beautiful festival this past weekend at La Villita Historic Arts Village: Muerto Fest in dowtown San Antonio. We escaped the bad weather in Houston for San Antonio! But first I would like to share the history & why we celebrate Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) because it's not just a cute costume, it represents a sacred holiday in the Mexican culture.
Dia De los Muertos is a holiday where we celebrate life & death and remember our ancestors & loved ones through the creation of ofrendas or Altars.
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| Chespirito Altar by By Griselda Flores, Edgar Rosas, Alexander Palencia, and Josefina Flores |
Altars are decorated with pictures, candles, flowers, sugar skulls, fruits, plates of food, stacks of tortillas, sodas, water, alcoholic beverages, pan de muerto, cookies, chocolates, cigarettes & items that represent, or belonged to the relative. It is believed that happy spirits will provide protection, good luck, & wisdom to their families.
Indigineous & rural families in South & central Mexico often save up or use 2 months worth of expenses in order to celebrate this holiday. Ofrenda building keeps the family close, and teaches the younger generations of their ancestors and family members they didn't get to meet.
The holiday is derived from prehispanic Aztec rituals and was converted to an acceptable christian holiday and meshed with All Souls day by the Spaniards.
This holiday is becoming increasingly popular in the US due to the amount of Mexican & Latino families that have migrated to the United States.
It is celebrated on November 1st & 2nd
For additional history information please visit these sites:
http://www.dayofthedeadsf.org/history.html
http://www.mexicansugarskull.com/support/dodhistory.html