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Oct 16, 2024 · During Día de los Muertos, observed Oct. 31- Nov. 2, they believed the dead had a brief window to leave the spirit realm and visit their loved ones in the mortal world. Three thousand years later ...
Oct 17, 2023 · Dia de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead, is a deeply cherished Mexican tradition that extends far beyond the commonly recognized two-day celebration. This vibrant and culturally rich event is a heartfelt homage to the dearly departed, filled with love, remembrance, and an array of customs that vary depending on your region and culture. As we delve into the timeline of this extended ...
- Where Did Day of The Dead originate?
- Who Was Mictecacihuatl?
- How Did The Spanish Help Create Day of The Dead?
- What Has Day of The Dead Got to Do with Nationalist Propaganda?
- Where Is Day of The Dead celebrated?
- How Is Day of The Dead celebrated?
This question is easier to ask than it is to answer because it’s either a clash of two separate events that evolved into one or, quite simply, nationalist propaganda. In the case of the former, it begins with the ancient Aztec custom of celebrating the dead. For clarity, the Aztecswere a Mesoamerican (a region that covers central Mexico through Bel...
According to Aztec mythology, Mictecacihuatl was just a baby when she was sacrificed to the gods, but she grew to adulthood in the land of Mictlan, the lowest part of the underworld. Here, she married Miclantecuhtl where the pair ruled, but it was Mictecacihuatl who was tasked with guarding the bones of the deceased. She is sometimes depicted weari...
The Catholic invaders did their utmost to stop what they perceived as the worship of false idols, but in some areas of Mexico, instead of stamping out archaic beliefs, they were absorbed into Roman Catholicism. An excellent example of this is La Virgen De Guadalupe, a sort-of South American Virgin Mary who appeared in a vision to Juan Diego, a nati...
Other historians argue that Day of the Dead is revivalist, in so far as it’s based on an Aztec belief system, created by President Lázaro Cárdenas del Río (1895 to 1970) to promote Mexican Nationalism in the 20th Century. If that’s the case, it worked a treat. Day of the Dead is even recognised by UNESCO in the Representative List of the Intangible...
In Mexico and those parts of the USA with large Mexican communities, but it’s spread to other parts of the US as well. But even the most established events are barely 30 years old and, outside of Mexican communities, have already been watered down by external concerns, such as politics. However, in places like the Philippines, the event is celebrat...
Human sacrifice is no longer tolerated (thankfully), however, the ofrenda - offerings placed in a home alter - is arguably a throwback to those grim occasions when Mictecacihuatl was worshipped with a ritualistic killing. The Ofrenda usually incorporates Mexican Marigolds (cempasúchil) pictures of loved ones, colourfully painted skulls (calaveras),...
Día de los Muertos occurs annually on October 31, November 1, and November 2, and is held to honor those who have died. Specifically, the term Día de los Muertos traditionally refers to November 2, when deceased adults are commemorated. November 1—a day known as Día de los Inocentes (“Day of the Innocents”) or Día de los Angelitos ...
Nov 1, 2023 · Día de los Muertos may live eternally, but it’ll be thanks to the vampire bite of Halloween. The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from ...
Nov 1, 2008 · As the macabre spectacle that is Halloween wraps itself up, it’s time to celebrate El Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) this November 1st and 2nd. One of Mexico’s most important holidays ...
Día de los Muertos traditions carry a uniquely Mexican stamp, but in essence they are a fusion of pre-Columbian rituals and European beliefs brought by the Spanish to Mesoamerica. At the core Día de los Muertos traditions and rituals retain the primary mission of honoring, remembering and celebrating the life of all those who have come before ...
