Día de los Muertos ~ Day of the Dead

In conjunction with the display, Sugar Skulls and Bread of the Dead: Understanding Día de los Muertos will be presented Saturday, Oct 12, from 2-4 pm. Christopher Muscato, Adjunct Faculty at the University of Northern Colorado and Aims Community College, will trace the history of the holiday from its role in the Aztec Empire to its place in modern Mexico.

“We will examine the most cherished foods, arts, and customs associated with Día de los Muertos,” said Muscato. “By looking at the history of Mexico and Mexican culture, we can reconnect with our own family annals and traditions as well.” Admission to the program is $5/person and includes entry into the Museum’s four galleries.

Day of the Dead is an interesting holiday celebrated in central and southern Mexico during the chilly days of November 1 & 2. Even
though this coincides with the Catholic holiday called All Soul’s & All Saint’s Day, the indigenous people have combined this with their own ancient beliefs of honoring their deceased loved ones.

They believe that the gates of heaven are opened at midnight on October 31, and the spirits of all deceased children (angelitos)
are allowed to reunite with their families for 24 hours. On November 2, the spirits of the adults come down to enjoy the festivities that are
prepared for them.

In most Indian villages, beautiful altars (ofrendas) are made in each home. They are decorated with candles, buckets of flowers (wild marigolds called cempasuchil & bright red cock’s combs) mounds of fruit, peanuts, plates of turkey mole, stacks of tortillas and big Day of the Dead breads called pan demuerto.  The altar needs to have lots of food, bottles of soda, hot cocoa and water for the weary spirits. Toys and candies are left for the angelitos, and on Nov. 2, cigarettes and shots of mezcal are offered to the adult spirits. Little folk art skeletons and sugar skulls, purchased at open-air markets, provide the final touches.

Day of the Dead is a very expensive holiday for these self-sufficient, rural based, indigenous families. Many spend over two month’s income to honor their dead relatives. They believe that happy spirits will provide protection, good luck and wisdom to their families. Ofrenda building keeps the family close.

On the afternoon of Nov. 2, the festivities are taken to the cemetery. People clean tombs, play cards, listen to the village band and reminisce about their loved ones. Tradition keeps the village close. Day of the Dead is becoming very popular in the U.S. ~ perhaps because we don’t have a way to celebrate and honor our dead, or maybe it’s because of our fascination with it’s mysticism.

Information from mexicansugarskull.com

An Altar is an important part of the Day of the Dead because it honors loved ones who have passed. While each altar is different in style and size, most share symbolic objects such as marigolds, sugar skulls, photos, candles, food, and personal mementos.

• • Small Dog
    • Aztecs believe that a small dog (itzcuintli) serves as a guide and companion for the dead.
  • Photograph
    • A photo of the person being remembered is an important centerpiece of any altar.
  • Candle
    • Representing “fire,” one of the four elements of nature, a lit candle helps light the way for the spirit to return.
  • Flowers
    • Flowers mean life.  When cut, they remind us that life is short.  A loved one’s favorite flower is sometimes placed on their altar or grave.
  • Cross
    • The cross is a traditional element of altars.  In Aztec traditions it symbolizes the four cardinal directions.  In Christian tradition it stands for death and  resurrection.
  • Loteria
    • Loteria is a popular Mexican game played by both children and adults.  It is similar to bingo and sometimes is placed on an altar, especially if the loved one played it.
  • Paper Banners
    • Colorful hand-cut tissue banners are placed around the altar and many other places during Day of the Dead celebrations.  Their movement represents “air,” one of the four elements of nature.
  • Toys
    • Toys are used as offerings on altars dedicated to children who passed away.  Toys with a death theme also are given to living children during the Day of the Dead as a means of introducing them to the concept of death.
  • Glass of Water
    • A glass of water placed on the altar awaits a thirsty, travel-weary soul.  It also represents “water,” one of the four elements of nature.
  • Incense
    • The aromatic smoke of incense is used to help guide a loved one’s spirit home.
  • Marigolds
    • Marigolds are the symbolic “flower of the dead.”  Paths of marigold petals combined with their strong smell help lead a loved one’s soul back.
  • Towel and Soap
    • A towel and soap are left on the altar for spirits to refresh themselves after a long journey.
  • Skeletons
    • Skeletons represent the dead living on and carrying out their daily activities.
  • Bread
    • A traditional sweet bread flavored with anise, orange peel, and glaze, the bread of the dead represents the souls of the dead and “earth,” one of the four elements of nature.
  • Sugar Skull
    • Sugar skulls are a traditional art from Mexico used to decorate altars and graves.  The skull represents the loved one’s soul.