El Dia De Los Muertos Research Paper

I always recall this one time I visited Mexico on the 31st of October. I have always imagined there would be ghost plastered on windows, skeletons scattered on lawns, spiderwebs everywhere, and kids running around in costumes smelling like a candy store. Unfortunately, that was not the case. Instead I found streets covered in colorful paper flags with skeletons patterns cut into them, skulls painted with bright welcoming colors with blooming flowers painted on them, and I also saw beautiful skeletons. The difference between the skeletons in Mexico were that they were dressed so elegantly, they had a presence of importance as if their clothing had some symbolism behind it, and they looked welcoming and not fearful. The streets had bouquets of flowers all aligned on the floor, there were tables with huge plates of food on them, and pictures of people over the foods and tables. What I didn't know was that Mexico doesn’t celebrate Halloween. They celebrate a uniquely special tradition, known as El Dia De Los Muertos. An important tradition that I feel is underrated and is so beautiful that it has a life of its own.

Of course, back in the day, I had no idea what “El Dia De Los Muertos” meant because my Spanish was not that great.

I was just six years old. My mother told me that it translates to “The Day of the Dead”. As the day went on I learned a lot about the holiday. I learned that the holiday is annual and is celebrated through out three days. I use to think it was a holiday celebrated worldwide, but with time learned it was a Mexican holiday. A holiday strongly celebrated more prevalent in Central and Southern Mexico. I remember asking my mom, “How come other countries celebrate the Day of the Dead?” Her response was, “Many countries have their own thing, Mexico having the Day of the Dead makes it a special tradition to

us.”
As the celebration went on, I learned that the main reason the holiday exist is to remember and pray to the love one’s that have past away. Many of the activities I saw take place were a creation of an alter and making tradition “Day of the Dead foods. The creation of the alter is very important and well thought out. On the alter you would decorate it with decretive flowers. Most of the flowers had warm and welcoming colors. Some flowers even represented the favorite color of the deceased loved one. Many of the alters had skulls on them. Skulls that have beautiful flowers painted on them, painted with bright colors, and showed an artistic drawing on them. They also had skeletons dressed as Catrins and Catrinas. Catrine and Catrinas are dressed very elegantly and wear traditional Mexican clothing. Then to finish it off, the alter also has many flowers aligned on the floor and flowers surrounding the alter.
Along with the alter, came the food. The tradition Day of the Dead foods are very important. The foods included many dishes cooked and prepared for many. Most of the time being foods that the loved one enjoyed very much. Some of the foods range from something as simply as tacos to something more special like stuffed peppers. Deserts are also very important with the foods. A special, well known, treat that comes with the celebration of the Day of the Dead are the sugar skulls. The sugar skulls look very similar to the skulls placed on the alter, with the exception that they are edible. They are designed in the same way and come in multiple sizes. This all usually goes with the alter and to top it off they add a photo of the past loved one or loved ones. This is to let many know who the alter belongs to, and so the friendly ghost know which alter belongs to them.
As the day ended I heard many people say, “Until next year to start the three day celebration!” I was very confused, for I thought it was celebrated on one day. That was not the case. The celebration takes place from October thirty-first to November second. Each day representing a different activity or tradition. October thirty-first is used for families and friends to get together and create alters. Much like how I explained earlier. November first is the remembrance and prays to the children or innocent ones who have past away. Lastly, November second, being the day everyone is remembered and the celebration is wrapped up. This holiday is not so much just a celebration. It is more about remembering what has been lost, and where things all started.
As I get older, I see that this tradition was very religious. Stretching back to when the Aztecs started their traditions until the Catholic religion reimagined the tradition. Although, that is another story for another day. I learned this holiday is unique in it’s own way. The Mexican culture prefers to view the passing of loves as something positive instead of something grim and morbid. My culture preform these activities and tradition to remember the lives that have been lost, and to keep their souls alive among us. It’s beautiful for the abstract and beautiful decoration that are used through the holiday. It has even started to hit the pop-culture scene with movings portraying the Day of the Dead. The big one being The Book of Life, which came out about a year ago. I will always recall the first experience I had of the Day of the Dead. I’m proud of my tradition and culture and hope to pass it down to my children some day. Except, for now, I’ll be welcoming friendly ghost and eating sugar skulls.