El Día de los Muertos began as a pre-Columbian celebration and was greatly influenced by the Spanish.

It is a ritual honoring the dead and has been practiced for nearly 3,000 years by pre-Hispanic groups such as the ancient Maya, Aztec, and Toltec.

These groups occupied Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize. When the Spaniards arrived, they tried to convert the

Aztecs to Catholicism, which meant they had to destroy this ritual, but the Aztecs refused to let this sacred ritual die.

In pre-Hispanic times, el Día de los Muertos was celebrated in August. When the Spanish could not destroy the holiday, they moved it to November 1st (All Saints Day) and November 2nd (All Souls Day) to make the ritual more Christian.

Today it is celebrated more in smaller towns than in the cities. This tradition is slowly fading. (Do you think the same thing is happening with holidays and traditions in the U.S.?)

Families go to the cemetery and decorate the graves with flowers and altares.

They build ofrendas in the homes with gifts for the deceased.

Skulls Skulls symbolize death and rebirth. The Aztecs and Mesoamerican civilizations kept skulls as

trophies and displayed them during rituals. The skulls were also used to honor the dead. The skulls are typically grinning because they are

laughing at death. They can be made from paper, wood, paper mache, tin,

or sugar. Calacas These are toy figurines for children. They are used to introduce the concept of death to

children so that they are not afraid of it.

Pan de Muertos This bread represents the soul of the departed. Sometimes it is in the shape of a skull and can

be decorated with frosting or seeds. In Oaxaca the seeds represent happiness.

Flowers/Marigolds (Cempasuchil) The flowers must be specific colors, orange and

yellow, and are considered the flowers of the dead.

The sweet smell and petals, which are used to mark a clear path, lure the souls back to homes and altars.

The orange marigold was the flower that the Aztecs used to remember their dead. Its color represents the tones of the earth.

Candles Common colors for candles are purple (representing pain),

white (for hope), and pink (meaning celebration). They are usually placed in the four cardinal points, making a

cross. The light of the candle is used to illuminate the way for the

dead as they return. Each candle represents a departed soul. Copal Originating in pre-Hispanic times, the incense is used to

attract souls. Copal is a special and expensive incense that can be found

in Puebla. The whiter the incense, the better it is considered because it

lasts longer. Incense is put on the altar last.

Food/Fruit and candy The altar may be decorated with special foods, candy, or

beverages that the people enjoyed while they were alive. Chocolate may be added, especially in Oaxaca, famous for the

mole sauce made with chocolate. You know that the dead have come back to visit an altar because

sodas go flat, bread comes hard, and fruits get soft. Glass of Water A glass of water is set out to refresh the tired soul. Masks By putting on a mask, a person can become another being, either

alive or dead. The mask is a ceremonial object used to influence supernatural

powers. Many indigenous people still depend on masks believing they are

needed to make the rituals or dance performances effective. Masks can be made from wood, tin, cloth, leather, clay, feathers,

shells, or paper mache. Some masks date back to 1000 BC.

Other decorations Papel Picado: This is tissue paper (or

plastic today) with cut out holes that create pictures or words. They are similar to paper snowflakes although the pictures are skulls or other appropriate pictures.

Paintings Crosses

José Guadalupe Posada was a printmaker born in Aguascaliente, Mexico in 1852.

He produced a popular representation of the calavera (skull) depicting dead people in everyday activities, from street cleaners to Emiliano Zapata.

He also made political statements, showing that even the rich and powerful will die.

This Dance of the Old Men comes from Michoacán.

It is performed by young men dressed up as old ones.

Supposedly the dance was dedicated to Huehueteotl, the god of fire. This god was represented as very old and bent over.

Some say it was a dance performed as a ritual honoring the sun.

Dancers usually compete in towns of Michoacán on the Day of the Dead.

Fotos