The Mexican death is a very living death
This ancient tradition representative of Mexican culture goes back to ancient times where great civilizations ruled the American continent, records of the celebration date from the pre-Columbian era and have been located in the ethnic groups Mexica, Maya, Purépecha and Totonaca. Although in the past it was more a matter of worshiping death, as a sign of adoration to the gods of each ethnic group, some of them preserved human skulls as trophies of battles, but in the region of presentday Mexico, the Mexicas honored the transition of life to death. Their festivities were presided over by their goddess Mictecacíhuatl, known as the “Lady of Death,” who years later would give life to what we know today as “La Catrina.” They believed that death was an emblematic moment worthy of admiration, fear and uncertainty. With the passage of time and the colonization of the Spaniards in the American continent, the tradition of these ethnic groups was mixed with Catholic beliefs, and focused mainly on Mexico, giving birth to Christianity’s “on the day of the faithful departed” and “all saints day.”
The days that comprise the celebration are the first and the second of Novem- ber. The first is dedicated solely to celebrate the memory of children who have already passed away, commonly known as the “day of dead children,” and the second is to remember and honor adults.
Over the years the belief was modified and a whole series of rituals have been developed that today define what is the “Day of the dead.” These include a fairly wide range of elements, to be able to fully conform the festivity, as well as the altar of the dead, a key piece of the celebration, which is made up of several levels, each of them representing the places through which the soul of the deceased has to cross to return to earth for a day and then return to rest.
Other elements that give life to the celebration are the cempasúchil flower and the candles, the two elements come together and according to tradition serve to show the spirits the path they must follow. A photograph of the person is also placed on the altar of whom you are remembering that day, where are placed some of their belongings and their favorite foods and drinks, because it is believed that only for that day the spirit of the person can eat and interact with the items that have been placed for them in the altar. Without a doubt there are endless elements that make the Day of the Dead something special.
The states on the southern side of Mexico are the ones that keep this tradition alive and are in charge of fulfilling each one of the requirements to carry out the celebration in an appropriate way. Many people take out the bodies of their loved ones from their tombs every year and are given the task of cleaning each one of the bones and then putting them back in their coffins for another year. Many other people take advantage of the celebration to have large parties and in many cities of Mexico the streets are filled with color while the parades and carnivals cross the streets. The food for that day is also special; in each bakery you can find the “Pan de muerto” and through the streets vendors offer endless sweets starting with sugar skulls, chopped strawberries and sugar cane, which is distinctive of the dates.
The day of the dead is a tradition and a celebration so rich in culture, food and traditions that in the year 2008 UNESCO declared it as intangible cultural heritage of humanity. Undoubtedly the Mexican death is a very living death. (La Semana)