Dia de los Muertos Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), is a holiday is Mexico. Dia de los Muertos is a time of focus on gatherings of loved ones to pray for and keep memory of others who have died. This is a pretty fascinating holiday with interesting customs. During the celebration of Dia de los Muertos, the Mexican people believe the spirit of the deceased visit their families during October 31st, to November 2nd. But, the holiday takes place November 1st-2nd. During this time, families make altars and include a photo of the departed person on the altar. Along with the altars ‘offrendas’, or offerings, are made and placed. These offrendas include, pan de muertos (bread of the dead), sugar skulls, candles, incense, and yellow marigolds. Many families create shrines to honor the deceased, as well as decorate cemetery stones and graves of loved ones. These people also don’t let the fear of death bother them. Instead, they mock and "live alongside" death, hence why this day is considered a celebration. …show more content…
Along with altars and offrendas, gifts are usually placed for those who have departed.
These gifts include toys for children and tequila for adults. Dia de los Muertos customs vary from region to region, but intentions are always similar. These intentions include, opening a sort of communication with the deceased, and to turn the situation into more of a celebratory thing, opposed to a time of sadness and mourning. These communications are usually included with prayer services. Unlike popular belief, it is not a Mexican version 'Halloween', as it predates Halloween by years. Dia de los Muertos could be traced back as far as 2,500 years ago, to the Aztec and Maya. The Aztec celebrated as early as August, and their day was dedicated to the goddess Mictecacihuatl, who then evolved into Catrina, the skeleton in a dress that appears in a bit of Day of the Dead
Artwork. Brazil, Spain, Philippino, European, African, and Asian cultures all celebrate holidays like the Day of the Dead. However, traditional Mexican Day of the Dead is celebrated in Prague and Wellington, New Zealand. Even sometimes, Mexican masks, altars, and gifts are used. Guatemalan people honor this time by flying large kites, where Haitian folk observe the day with a blend of voodoo and Catholic customs. Although the whole point of Dia de los Meurtos is a celebratory time, death, ghosts, or even devils are not what’s being celebrated. The life and spirit of those who have passed on is what is truly being honored.
Many countries have the pleasure of celebrating Independence Days. These historic holidays are filled with nationalistic celebrations and delicious traditional food. In Chile, the natives celebrate their break from Spain with Fiestas Patrias. In Mexico, the president begins the celebration by ringing a bell and reciting the “Grito de Dolores” and he ends his speech by saying “Viva Mexico” three times.
In digging the day of the dead a distinction between Dia de los Muertos and Halloween is made, the purpose, to highlight the differences and showing the importance and significance of Dia de los Muertos. This ethnography begins by loosely describing Halloween in American culture, it is described as a day where “children dress up as grotesque corpses” and a celebration empty of historic or cultural significance and knowledge. The author Juanita Garciagodoy, later goes on to describe Dia de los Muertos in a romanticized way, by statin that the dead “are not forgotten or excluded from recollections, prayer, or holidays because they are no longer visible” Garciagodoy then goes on to tell a heartfelt story about a couple one holding on to tradition,
In the Hispanic culture, The Day of the Dead is a very special holiday celebrated in Hispanic communities. The Day of The Dead is a celebration that last two days. It occurs on November 1 and 2. On November 1, they have a celebration for the young. On November 2, they give honor to family members who have passed away. Traditionally they set up alters in their homes with pictures, candles, foods, and many other decorations. They believe this holiday connects them to their dead ancestors and allows the spirits to be welcomed back. It is one of the biggest celebrations in Hispanic communities and is a very meaningful celebration. One of the specific holidays that is celebrated in the US is called Martian Luther King Jr. Day. This day is in honor of Martian Luther King Jr. and his fight for civil rights. His actions have had a huge impact on America and has become a role model for not only African Americans, but for everyone. He died for fighting for what was right and is honored on this day only in America. Both the Hispanic and US cultures have their own specific holidays only celebrated in these
Cinco de Mayo, also known as the Anniversary of the Battle of Puebla, is a national holiday in Mexico that commemorates the 1862 Mexican victory over the French forces of Napoleon III in Puebla, Mexico. This holiday, celebrated on the fifth of May, has deep roots in Mexican culture, but in American-Mexican culture as well. Cinco de Mayo serves as a proud reminder of an unlikely victory, as well as a day to express and cherish Mexican pride and heritage.
The infamous "Day of the Dead" or dia de los muertos actually takes place over a period of 2 days. It is the largest and most elaborate celebration in mexico all year long, its even bigger than Christmas. In the past, this period marked the time when the deceased could return to the world of the living and visit their loved ones, but now it is usually a time to celebrate, remember, and pray for their souls.
The traditions my parents instilled in me at a young age are important to me. They are part of my Latin culture and identity. One of the most important traditions that I value the most is our devotion to “La Virgen de Guadalupe” (The Virgin of Guadalupe), and although I don't go to church or share a specific a religion, I believe in La Virgen as a protector and a guardian figure and maintain her presence in my daily life.
Different cultures have different holiday traditions. At this time of year different cultures are preparing to celebrate Halloween or the Día de los Muertos.These two holidays occur around the same time of year. October 31st is Halloween and the Day of the Dead begins on November 1st and ends on November 2nd. Halloween is an American tradition and the Day of the Dead is celebrated in Mexico, and other Latin American countries. Both holidays share some similarities but also have some differences.Some common themes between the two holidays are food and religion. For example, Pumpkin is associated with both holidays. And Christianity is the religion associated with both holidays. The symbols for these holidays share some similarities , for example skulls. While Halloween also is associated with ghosts and witches. A big
El Dia de los Muertos was brought to the United States when Mexican-Americans underwent a cultural reawakening in the early 1970s. The holiday's popularity has since spread to other races and cultures. The Day of the Dead celebrates life past and present, and not just death alone. Revelers construct ofrendas, the offerings of food, drinks, cigarettes, toys, and candy, set out for returning souls. Revelers take joy in honoring the dead, usually with music, dancing, crafts and food.
...parts of the celebration, October 31st, November 1st, and finally November 2nd. On October 31st, it is seen that the kid’s souls return. November 1st is considered the adult’s day of returning, and November 2nd is when all souls have returned from the dead and there is a big celebration. People of Mexico celebrate by making many baked goods and cooking meals, making objects such as masks and decorating papers and toy coffins to prepare for the return of the souls.
In April, there is a recent Mexican celebration that was immigrated to the United States called Da de los Nios/ Da de los Libros which translated means Day of Children/Day of Books. It has been reintroduced to the U.S. as a celebration of children and reading. Today, it can be celebrated at libraries, at a parade, or at home with children. In May, there is Cinco de Mayo. It is already known in the U.S. to be a day of party or fiesta, but it also gives others a chance to be immersed in the Mexican culture....
I am familiar with both the Mexican culture and the regular American Culture. Those two cultures aren’t alike. Mexicans celebrate different holidays. In American culture, we celebrate 4th of July because of the declaration of independence. But in Mexican culture, we also celebrate Independence Day but on the 16th of September, because we won the war against the Spaniards. Also, in American culture we celebrate the holiday that all kids love, Halloween on October 31st. Halloween is a day to go trick-or-treating and have fun. In Mexico, we celebrate “El Día De Los Muertos “(Day of The Dead) on November 1st. Day of the dead is a day where we remember all the people that have died and that holiday is in honor of them. Mexicans also celebrate “El Día De Los Reyes Magos” also known as “Day Of The Three Wise Men”. This day is celebrated for the day that the three wise men took each 1 gift to the Virgin Mary’s son. Columbus Day is a holiday that is celebrated in both American and Mexican culture. But besides the holidays, Mexican food is different from the all American food that is seen everyday. From pozole, tacos, quesadillas, and so many other foods, the cultures aren’t the same.
The history of this holiday is all about the battle of Puebla. Before the battle Mexico was in an economic crisis. The president at that time was Benito Juarez, he decided to stop the payments on the external debt so that he could handle that internal finical situation in Mexico. Mexico was in serve debt with France, England and Spain. These countries sent a delegation because they didn’t think they were going to get paid back. The president reasoned with Spain and Britain but not the French. The French wanted to take over Mexico so they had other ideas than to reason with them. France at this time was being ruled by Napoleon III. He was the one who wanted to invade France so he could make Mexico an empire. The French army invaded Mexico late in 1861. President Juarez and the government went into hiding because of the French army. The French was certain then that they would win so, they sent in 6,000 of their troops to Puebla de Los Angeles lead by General Charles Latrille de Lorencez. When the President of Mexico heard about tha...
In Mexico, this holiday occurs on the day of October 31 and ending on November 2. They have believed that on October 31 the gates of heaven and let the souls of the children roam on Earth on November 1. Then on November 2, they once again open the gates for the adults to roam on Earth. The celebration of Dia De Los Muertos may take years of planning or maybe shorter. This day, they believed that the soul comes back and visit their loved ones. They also believe that even if they don’t see their beloved that had passed away, they can surely feel their presence. To the family, it is very important to them because this day, the family reunites and honors their loved ones that had passed away and ancestors.
The hispanic culture has many traditions but another important one is el Día de Reyes and la Rosca de Reyes: It is a Mexican tradition that Mexicans celebrate. This used to be the real Santa Claus at least in Mexico and while kids aren’t complaining about getting gifts from both days, we shouldn't lose the beautiful tradition. Getting the family together to cut the Rosca de Reyes or Three Kings Bread, is a great tradition where if you get the muñequito or Niño Dios, and is found then you have to host a Tamal party on February 2 for the Candelabra.
What is culture? Many people ask themselves this question every day. The more you think about it the more confusing it is. Sometimes you start leaning to a culture and then people tell you you’re wrong or they make you feel like a different person because of your culture. I go through this almost every day. Because of the way I was raised I love Mexican rodeo but I was born and raised in Joliet. This can be very difficult trying to understand culture. I live in this huge mix of culture. Culture is personal. People can have many cultures especially in America and because of globalization. Cultural identity is not one or the other, it is not Mexican or American. Cultural identity is an individual relevant thing.