The Day of the Dead, or Día de Muertos,celebrated November 1st through November 2nd, is a holiday in which families gather together to remember and honor their deceased loved ones. A sacred, joyous time, Day of the Dead traditions include food and flowers, visits with family members, prayers, and stories about those who have died.
Origins of the Day of the Dead
While the exact origins are still debated among historians, most agree that Día de Muertos is a fusion of pre-Hispanic and European traditions. Day of the Dead began as a traditional Mesoamerican celebration in southern Mexico meant to guide the spirits of departed loved ones in the afterlife. These early traditions included placing offerings like tamales near burial sites and celebrating the cyclical nature of life and death.
With the arrival of Spanish colonizers in the 16th century, indigenous customs blended with Catholic observances like All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, creating the hybrid celebration recognized today. Today, the holiday is celebrated across Mexico and beyond, honoring ancestors through altars, food, music, and storytelling.
Traditions
Customs vary by region, and some Day of the Dead traditions are more well-known than others.
Ofrendas
Central to the celebration are ofrendas, individualized altars designed to remember departed loved ones. They often include photos, possessions of the deceased, candles, flowers, calaveras, water, and toys for los angelitos (little angels). Pan de muerto and small portions of favorite foods and drinks of the deceased are also included.
Marigolds
One Aztec tradition that continues today is decorating with cempasúchil (marigold) flowers. The vibrant colors and scent are thought to guide spirits to visit the living during the celebration. They are also a beautiful representation of the fragility of life.
In addition to vases of living flowers, children often make marigolds out of tissue paper and pipe cleaners to help decorate ofrendas.
Sugar Skulls
Calaveras, another Aztec tradition, are skulls made out of compressed sugar and water with the name of the deceased written on the forehead. A reminder of the cycles of life, calaveras are colorful folk art skulls decorated with colored foil, icing, beads, ribbons, and feathers.
Calaveras literarias
Calaveras literarias are traditional Mexican poems written especially in the days leading up to the Day of the Dead. Their purpose is to remember loved ones or famous people through verses filled with love and irony. The poems primariy use comedy to tell a story about a deceased loved one. For example,
"Doña Marta always said that chocolate was her passion
Between laughter and sweeets she spent every ocassion
La Calaca arrived one day with great determination
And took Doña Marta away...and the chocolate too, without question!"
Food and Drink
Families gather to eat pan de muerto along with their loved ones’ favorite foods and drinks and share stories and memories of past family members. Pan de muerto is a special sweet bread baked especially for the holiday, with recipes that vary from region to region.
Moles, tamales, chocolate, candies, and drinks of atole and coffee are other common foods made for the occasion.
Regional Traditions
Each state of Mexico has unique customs for the Day of the Dead:
- In Oaxaca, the bells ring with different tones to welcome deceased children and adults.
- In Michoacán, la Danza de los Viejitos (Dance of the Old Men) fills the squares with music and color.
- In Aguascalientes, the Festival de las Calaveras celebrates the Day of the Dead with parades, altars, troupes and art inspired by José Guadalupe Posada and his famous Catrina. It reflects the Mexican way of laughter and honoring death.
- In Morelos, in the city of Coatetelco, the Huentles, or hanging ofrendas, are placed with food, pan de muerto and cempasúchil flowers, showing the fusion between pre-Hispanic and Catholic traditions.
- In Puebla, el pan de burro (donkey bread) stands out, along with altars that honor the deceased and reflect family devotion and artistic creativity.
Remembering the Past
These and other traditions are an important way of keeping families strong as they remember ancestors and their stories.
As your family gathers for Día de Muertos, consider activities that will help you remember your family members. Don’t forget to record your ancestors’ memories on FamilySearch as you share their stories. Think of it as a digital ofrenda!
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