Day of the Dead
Maria Scott
October 30, 2008
In Mexico, it is custom for the people to celebrate the Day of the Dead. The holiday, Day of the Dead is Día de los Muertos in Spanish. These two days, November 1st and November 2nd are the same days that the Catholics celebrate All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day. The recognition focuses on praying for those family and friends who have perished.
Other holidays that are like this are celebrated in many different areas of the world . It is also a holiday in Brazil, that have the Brazilians celebrate by going to cemeteries and churches. In Spain, there are parades, carnivals, and festivals to celebrate this. At the end of the day, people go to cemeteries to remember and pray to their loved ones who have died. Another similar occurance is in Europe and in the Philippines. There is also some differences in the Africian culture, but is somewhat similar to having the same intentions of recalling who has died.
The Day of the Dead holiday is traced back from the Olmec, Zapotec, Mixtec, Mexican, Aztec, Maya, and Totonac. The rituals of celebrating the deaths have been along for over 2500 years. It used to be and still is common to keep skulls and display them to symbolize death. The common surgar skulls are given as gifts to both the living and dead. In most areas of Mexico, November 1st recognizes the deceased children and infants. Then the adults who were deceased were recognized on November 2nd.
To celebrate this holiday, it is common for people to build altars in honor for the perished. Many believe that the dead souls come back from the dead on this day. They will put favorite foods and drinks for them. They would also put old photographs for them too, as well as bring toys for the children. Frequently a clean hand towel are there so that visiting souls can get clean before the feast. The reason of this is so that the souls will hear there prayers, and feel welcome to come. The offering may also include a pack of cigarettes for the enjoyment after the feast of smokers.
This celebration goes on throughout the whole world. It is a good way to honor those who came before and died. Many people think that possessing items on the Day of the Dead can bring good luck. They also carry dolls and get tatoos just for this day. It is a big jubilee all through Latin America, and is spreading so other people can celebrate this holiday too. This two day event is a good way for everyone to remember and focus on our loved ones who have died!
Other holidays that are like this are celebrated in many different areas of the world . It is also a holiday in Brazil, that have the Brazilians celebrate by going to cemeteries and churches. In Spain, there are parades, carnivals, and festivals to celebrate this. At the end of the day, people go to cemeteries to remember and pray to their loved ones who have died. Another similar occurance is in Europe and in the Philippines. There is also some differences in the Africian culture, but is somewhat similar to having the same intentions of recalling who has died.
The Day of the Dead holiday is traced back from the Olmec, Zapotec, Mixtec, Mexican, Aztec, Maya, and Totonac. The rituals of celebrating the deaths have been along for over 2500 years. It used to be and still is common to keep skulls and display them to symbolize death. The common surgar skulls are given as gifts to both the living and dead. In most areas of Mexico, November 1st recognizes the deceased children and infants. Then the adults who were deceased were recognized on November 2nd.
To celebrate this holiday, it is common for people to build altars in honor for the perished. Many believe that the dead souls come back from the dead on this day. They will put favorite foods and drinks for them. They would also put old photographs for them too, as well as bring toys for the children. Frequently a clean hand towel are there so that visiting souls can get clean before the feast. The reason of this is so that the souls will hear there prayers, and feel welcome to come. The offering may also include a pack of cigarettes for the enjoyment after the feast of smokers.
This celebration goes on throughout the whole world. It is a good way to honor those who came before and died. Many people think that possessing items on the Day of the Dead can bring good luck. They also carry dolls and get tatoos just for this day. It is a big jubilee all through Latin America, and is spreading so other people can celebrate this holiday too. This two day event is a good way for everyone to remember and focus on our loved ones who have died!
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