Dia De Los Muertos Essay

Cultural Geography in the Dia De Los Muertos Festival
The Dia de Los Muertos Festival, also known as the Day of The Dead is celebrated throughout Mexico and other Latin American countries, annually in November 1. The festival is a combination of an ancient Aztec ritual and a Catholic celebration of All Saints Day. The festival is used to celebrate the death of loved ones by preparing traditional folk food and drinks, attending parties, and several cultural activities. The festival has created a different view of death and growing old, but globally it is seen rather differently (“Dia de los Muertos 1). Dia De Los Muertos is an essential part of Latin Americas popular culture, and folk region.
The idea of Dia De Los Muertos comes from the combined culture of the Spanish Catholic church introduced by the conquistadors and ancient Aztec traditions (“5

Dia De Los Muertos…” 1). The festival takes place around the same time as the Catholic Church’s All Saints Day, and it also symbolizes the idea that the Aztec's celebrated death more than they mourned it. This festival goes on to combine modern elements in with the traditional festival. Traditional folk foods are prepared for the festival and are taken to the shrine like settings that welcome the dead. There are also large parties that allow the younger generations to combine popular culture and folk culture together using modern music and resources. There is an interesting global influence on the festival that has created a unique form of popular culture.
The Dia De Los Muertos festival has influenced the world more than the world has influenced it.

This cultural diffusion has created several misconceptions in the global world. Many people believe that the Dia De Los Muertos festival is a Halloween festival, instead of a celebration of lost loved ones. The decorated skulls also tend to through people off, but it is actually a folk tradition started by the Aztecs, but has found a way to diffuse itself into modern popular culture around the world (“5 Dia De Los Muertos…” 2). All of the folk culture and pop culture of the Dia De Los Muertos festival has the ability to change ones view on death. Those who celebrate this festival tend to view death as a privilege. Death is also seen as something to be celebrated instead of mourned, because those who have died have found eternity. The idea that once a year deceased family members can come back to visit their loved ones once a year give a sense of comfort to those who participate in this traditional festival. The traditions of this folk festival strengthen family and celebrate the lives of those who have lived before

them.
Dia De Los Muertos plays a crucial part in Latin American culture. The festival combine Catholic and Aztec traditions for a unique experience. The culture of the festival has diffused it to global popular culture, but it still has the traditional folk culture elements. Those who celebrate this festival have a different view of death, they celebrate it more than mourn it. This festival creates a curiosity in other cultures because it is like no other.