The Day of the Dead in Mexico Guide: Uncover the History

As the autumn leaves start to fall and the air begins to cool, Mexico gears up for one of its most vibrant and colourful celebrations of the year: the Day of the Dead (Día de Muertos). 

Unlike any other festival you'll experience, this holiday is a joyous occasion filled with music, dancing, and intricate displays of altars, flowers, and food. It's a time for families and communities to come together, not to mourn their loved ones, but to celebrate their lives and the memories they left behind.

In this guide, we'll take you on a journey through the history, traditions, and preparations for the Day of the Dead in Mexico. So, grab your marigolds, light your candles, and get ready to immerse yourself in the magic of this unforgettable festival.

History and Traditions

 

Grave sites on the Day of the Dead. Photo by Nailotl – stock.adobe.com

The Day of the Dead is a vibrant and beloved holiday that has been celebrated in Mexico for centuries. Rich in history and steeped in tradition, this festival is a time when families and communities come together to honour and remember their loved ones who have passed away. 

Origins of the celebration

Day of the Dead, or El Dia de los Muertos, has its roots in pre-Columbian cultures such as the Aztecs, who celebrated a month-long festival honouring the goddess Mictecacihuatl, known as the Lady of the Dead. 

The festival was traditionally held in August. But it was later moved to coincide with the Catholic holiday All Saints' Day on November 1st and All Souls' Day on November 2nd.

The Aztecs viewed death as a normal part of life and that the dead should be honoured, not feared. They believed that the souls of the dead would come back to the world of the living during the festival to be with their loved ones.

When Spain took over the Americas in the 16th century, the holiday changed and became more in line with Catholic beliefs. The native traditions of the people were combined with All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day by the Catholic Church. The result was the Day of the Dead, which combines elements of both indigenous and Christian beliefs.

Today, the Day of the Dead is an official holiday in Mexico, and it has become a symbol of Mexican culture around the world. The holiday honours the memories of loved ones who have died and celebrates the connection between the living and the dead.

Fun fact: In Mexican belief, a person has three deaths. First is when your body ceases to function. The second is when your body is buried, and you are no longer around family and friends. The last kind is when no one remembers you, the definitive death.

Key Elements of the Day of the Dead

On this special occasion, families create ofrendas, altars with offerings to the departed. The ofrendas are a tribute to those who have passed, symbolising the belief in eternal life and the everlasting presence of loved ones who have left this world.

They are placed in homes, public places, and even local cemeteries where family members are buried. They convey the deep affection and fondness held for the departed while also expressing a profound love and appreciation for the gift of life. 

In the altars, several key elements are combined to create the vibrant and colourful atmosphere of the Day of the Dead. While this is not an exhaustive list, here are some of the most common objects included:

• Skulls (Calavera): These sugar skulls are one of the most well-known emblems of Da de los Muertos. They are typically created with granulated sugar, meringue powder, and water. The mixture is formed into a skull shape and painted with elaborate designs.
• Flowers (Marigolds): The altar is decked with fresh flowers in the hopes that the aroma may comfort and cheer the departed spirits who have returned to Earth. 

Marigold flowers (or Cempasuchil) are one of the most popular flowers used in the celebration. Its bright colour, wide petals and scent are believed to help guide the spirits back to the living world.

• Candles: Candles are a sign of hope, faith, and light, and they guide lost souls to the altar and back to the afterlife. In some areas, one candle is lit for each honoured soul. In others, four candles - one for each cardinal point - are put on the altar.
• Perforated paper: Also known as Papel Picado. These colourful tissue papers represent the union between life and death
• Food & drink: Each Mexican state has its own speciality that serves as the primary offering during religious celebrations, such as the Calabaza en tacha (candied pumpkin); atole, a drink of water and tequila (as the spirits are typically thirsty when they arrival). However, Pan de Muertos ​​(bread of the dead) is a must-have. This delicious and fluffy loaf, shaped like a skull and crossbones, is said to symbolise a grave; and the topped tear drop represents the goddess’s tears.

• Picture & personal items: By placing a photograph of the passed away on the altar, it is said that their spirit would be resurrected and brought back to life. The honoured guest may also be comforted by the inclusion of familiar items such as clothing, gifts, or toys of their own.

Traditional rituals and practices

In addition to altars, ofrendas,, there are several traditional rituals and practices associated with the Day of the Dead in Mexico. Celebrations of life and death are occasions for communities to gather together and remember departed members.

• Cemetery visits: Many people pay their respects to ancestors at cemeteries by cleaning and decorating their graves with flowers and donations.
• Calaveras makeup: Several partygoers will wear calaveras makeup, which makes them seem like skulls. These elaborate patterns are a common way to remember the departed and enjoy the occasion.
• Parades and other processions: During the Day of the Dead festivities, processions and parades are conducted in various areas of Mexico.

How is the Day of the Dead celebrated?

A cemetery visit on the night of the dead in Janitzio.

The Day of the Dead is celebrated on November 1st and 2nd each year in Mexico, with preparations typically beginning several weeks in advance. Families will clean and decorate their homes and grave sites, gather materials for altars and ofrendas, and purchase traditional foods and decorations.

Week of the Dead, also known as Semana de los Muertos, is the week following up to the festival and is a time for families to gather together in preparation for the celebrations. Retailers stock their shelves with marigolds, sugar skulls, and pan de muerto in honour of the Day of the Dead.

Families will spend the last days leading up to the Day of the Dead tending to their ofrendas, filling them with the deceased's favourite foods and beverages. The objective is to provide a place of beauty and pleasure for the spirits to enjoy during their visits.

In honour of the family, people and loved ones often make capirotada, a beloved Mexican bread pudding or Bread of the Dead (pan de muerto). Cacao, a hot chocolatey drink that represents love and plenty, also contributed to the festive atmosphere.

During this time, people gather to cook together for feasts, when they share food, tales, and memories of the departed. People also raise a glass to the friends and family who have passed on. In sum, these are all activities to honour the departed ones’ memory and ensure they'll always be a part of our lives.

Celebrations in Different Parts of Mexico

While the Day of the Dead is celebrated throughout Mexico, different regions have their own unique traditions and customs that make their celebrations distinct. Here are a few examples:

Oaxaca

Oaxaca is one of the most well-known regions in Mexico for its Day of the Dead celebrations. The city is famous for its elaborate ofrendas, colourful cemeteries, and use of intricate paper mache decorations called alebrijes. 

Here are some of the unique traditions and practices observed during the Day of the Dead in Oaxaca:

• Larger ofrendas: In Oaxaca, families create large-scale ofrendas in honour of their deceased loved ones. These ofrendas are often adorned with marigold flowers, candles, food, and photographs. They are usually set up in public spaces, such as plazas and museums, and are open for the public to view.
• Glamorous cemeteries: Oaxaca is also known for its colourful cemeteries, which are decorated with flowers and candles during the Day of the Dead. Families gather at the graves of their loved ones to clean them and leave offerings.
• Alebrijes: The use of intricate paper mache decorations called Alebrijes is another unique feature of the Day of the Dead in Oaxaca. These fantastical creatures are often brightly coloured and can be seen in various sizes, from small figurines to large sculptures.

Day of the dead’s decorations. Photo by Marc - stock.adobe.com

Janitzio

Imagine a small island located in the middle of a tranquil lake, where the air is filled with the scent of marigolds and the soft glow of flickering candles. 

This is Janitzio, a magical place where the Day of the Dead celebrations is truly one-of-a-kind. Here are some of the unique traditions and practices that make the Day of the Dead in Janitzio so special:

• Candle lighting: As the sun sets on October 31st, the people of Janitzio gather at the cemetery to light candles and place them on the graves of their loved ones. As night falls, the cemetery is transformed into a sea of flickering lights, creating a beautiful and peaceful atmosphere.
• Boat processions: