Each year when the seasons change, the souls in the spirit world make their way to the real world to join their loved ones for a night of celebration. This beautiful yet intimate holiday is known as Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead).
Passageway Between the Real and Spirit World
Día de los Muertos is a holiday and tradition celebrated in Mexico. The holiday was first celebrated in contemporary Mexico with rituals that honored the dead that dated back to pre-Columbian Meso-America. However, when Spaniards introduced Catholicism to the indigenous people in Mexico, traditions were combined from both groups, eventually being what we know as Día de los Muertos today.
Día de los Muertos is over a course of two days, Nov. 1-2. The holiday is to celebrate the souls in the spirit world making their way through a passageway to the real world. The first day of Día de los Muertos is for the souls who died as children. The second day is when the souls of adults pass into the real world. Many of these souls are reunited with loved ones and celebrate by dancing, eating, drinking and playing music.
Ofrendas are homemade altars made by the family of those who lost their loved ones. Ofrendas are meant to honor and celebrate the souls returning home for the night. Many families and friends set pictures of their deceased loved ones and decorate it with marigolds, candles, butterflies, calaveras (sugar skulls), food and drinks. Día de los Muertos is quite intimate, yet it is not to mourn the lives of those who are gone. If anything, it is to celebrate the lives they did live.
Celebrate with Music and Movies
For many years, the beautiful holiday has been a tradition in Mexico and has spread through Latin America. The holiday is getting more recognition with many songs and movies highlighting the culture, people and language that brings Día de los Muertos to life.
Disney’s “Coco” is one of the best representations of Día de los Muertos. With the vibrant colors throughout the film and mellow songs such as “Remember Me,” we are reminded there is beauty in everything. Even in death. Winning Best Animated Feature Film from the Academy in 2018, the movie brought the holiday to life and made many feel honored and special to have their culture represented on the big screen.
Natalia Lafourcade captures the intimate beauty of Día de los Muertos in her song “La Llorona” featuring Los Macorinos, singing about the legend of the crying woman. Lafourcade hypnotizes you into Mexico’s culture and storytelling.
At the Marriott Library, an ofrenda plus a photo documentary exhibit will be on display until Nov. 21 in honor of Día de los Muertos.
