what is the day of the deads?

The Origin of the tradition of the dead.

The origins of the celebration of the Day of the Dead in Mexico can be traced to the time of the indigenous people of Mesoamerica, such as the Aztecs, Mayas, Purepechas, Nahuas and Totonacas. The rituals that celebrate the lives of the ancestors were performed by these civilizations for at least the last 3,000 years. In the pre-Hispanic era, it was common to keep the skulls as trophies and to show them during the rituals that symbolized death and rebirth. The festival that became the Day of the Dead fell on the ninth month of the Aztec solar calendar, near the beginning of August, and was celebrated for a full month. The festivities were presided over by the god Mictecacihuatl, known as the "Lady of Death" (currently corresponds to "La Catrina"). The festivities were dedicated to the celebration of children and the lives of deceased relatives. When the Spanish conquerors arrived in America in the 15th century, they were terrified by the pagan practices of the Indians, and in an attempt to convert the Native Americans to Catholicism they moved the festival to dates at the beginning of November to coincide with the Catholic festivals of All Saints' Day and All Souls.

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The celebrations of the day of the dead.

The most representative element of the Day of the Dead festival in Mexico are the altars with their offerings, a representation of our vision about death, full of allegories and meanings.

In the places where the tradition is more rooted, the altars begin to take shape on October 28 and reach their maximum splendor on November 2. It is common for the first day to light a candle and place a white flower; the next day another candle is added and a glass of water is offered. For day 30, a new candle is lit, another glass of water is placed and a white bread is placed; the next day the seasonal fruit is placed (tangerine, guava, orange, apple, tejocote). For the first of November, the sweet food, the chocolate, the pumpkin in tacha, and the flowers are placed. On the main day, the deceased's favorite food, tequila, mezcal and beer are placed. The element that is not missing in any of these days is the copal on.

Dead's altars

Traditionally the altars have levels, and the levels of family customs are used two, three or seven levels. The altars of two levels, the most common today, represent the division of heaven and earth; The three levels represent heaven, earth and the underworld, although they can also refer to the elements of the Holy Trinity.

The traditional par excellence, is the altar of seven levels, which represent the levels that the soul must go through in order to reach the place of their spiritual rest. Each step, is covered with tablecloths, chopped paper, banana leaves, palmillas and tule mats; Each step has a different meaning.

The image of the family devotion saint is placed on the highest one; the second is destined for the souls of purgatory; in the third the salt is placed, symbol of the purification; in the fourth the bread, which is offered as food and as consecration; in the fifth place the favorite fruits and dishes for the deceased; in the sixth the photographs of the deceased to whom the altar is dedicated and finally, in the seventh, in contact with the earth, a cross formed by flowers, seeds or fruits.

Each element placed on the altar has its own meaning and importance. The copal and the incense represent the purification of the soul, and it is its aroma that is able to guide the deceased towards their offering. The arch, made with reed and decorated with flowers, is located above the first level of the altar and symbolizes the door that connects to the world of the dead; it is considered the eighth level that must be followed to reach Mictlán.

The paper cut and its colors represent the purity and the duel, at the moment they are adorned with skulls and other elements of the popular culture; In pre-Hispanic times, amate paper was used and different deities were drawn on it.

Through the candles, candles and candles the fire is present, which is offered to the souls to light their way back to their abode. It is customary to place four candles, representing a cross and the cardinal points, but also in some communities, each candle represents a deceased, so the number of candles will depend on the souls that the family receives.

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Offerings to the dead

In our offerings water can never be lacking, the source of life, as it is necessary to quench the thirst of the visitor after his long journey. Nor can we forget the salt, an element of purification that serves so that the soul does not become corrupted in its round trip. The bread of the dead has a double meaning. On the one hand, it represents the cross of Christ; on the other hand, the strips on the bark represent the bones and the sesame, the tears of the souls that have not found rest.

The flower of cempoalxóchitl, the cloud and the mucus of turkey are the flowers that decorate the offerings and the cemeteries; Like the copal, it is believed that its aroma attracts and guides the souls of the dead. The calaveritas of sugar, chocolate and amaranth, as well as other alfeñiques, allude to death and in a certain way, make fun of it, being custom to write on the forehead the name of the deceased.
It is also customary to place a sculpture of a Xoloizcuintle dog, which will help the souls to cross the Chiconauhuapan river to reach Mictlán; In addition, it also represents the joy of the deceased children.

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The visit to the cemetery

En esta festividad, es obligado visitar las tumbas de los difuntos para limpiarlas y arreglarlas con flores y veladoras. Esta visita, es una muestra más de la riqueza y diversidad de la tradición, pues en algunos lugares, es costumbre colocar una ofrenda sobre el sepulcro y pasar allí la noche en vela con la familia reunida.

There is no shortage of prayers as well as the music of the mariachis, the estudiantinas, the trios and other local music groups. In Janitzio, for example, women and children feel tearful to pray for their dead, after placing an offering on the tombs consisting of foods that were liked by their loved ones, flowers and numerous candles; They spend the hours in calm, praying and observing the intensity of the light of the candles.

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