As Day of the Dead is included in my culture what I know about it is, we celebrate it Nov 1- Nov 2 every year. Dia de los Muertos goes back to the Aztecs, who had not just a few days, but an entire month dedicated to the dead. It started in the early 1500s in Mexico. Christian and pagan traditions is the religion that had started Dia de los Muertos. It is a celebration of life rather than a death. It is a Culture thing that is celebrated every year. Some people believe the spirits of the dead eat the “spiritual essence” of the ofrendas‘ food, so though the celebrators eat the food after the festivities, they believe it lacks value. Orfenda’s are central to the celebration. Food is a key part of Orfrenda’s. Costumes, face printings, decorations are everywhere. People wearing masks carry signs honoring the dead. Funnels are made in home and with the communities. Some families build altars or small shrines in their homes. One of the levels are for the ground, and other levels are from the sky or different world, things that they are always there are crmpasurchula, orange flowers, food, toys are brought for dead children (los angelitos, or ‘the little angels’). Bottles of tequila for adults. and photos of memories. The type of food we have on the day of the dead is bread with some coffee, mole, canvas. The dead of the day is a holiday that involves family and friends gathering to remember friends and family members who have died. Traditions connected with the holiday include honoring using calaveras. Calaveras are a skull that represents a human skull. They have marigold flowers known as cempazúchitl, and those flowers are in the native Mexico. Food and Candy are also shared between friends. Some people believe the spirits of the dead eat the “spiritual essence” of the ofrendas‘ food, so though the celebrators eat the food after the festivities, they believe it lacks nutritional value. In many U.S. communities with Mexican residents, Dias de los Muertos celebrations are like those held in Mexico. In some of these communities, in states such as Texas, Mexico, and Arizona. The lady of the day is Catrina, she dances, worships, and celebrates the return of the spirits. Guadalupe Posada created La Catrina. The Spanish combined their custom of Halloween with the similar Mesoamerican festival, creating the day of the Dead. The biggest celebration of day of the death is in Veracruz. In Veracruz it is more important to celebrate Dia de los Muertos than Christmas. The region takes at least 1 week.
