Mesa Legend - FEATURES 6


Volume 40, Issue 6. Today is .

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Volume 40, Issue 6
November 19, 2002

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Fest remembers spirit of ancestors
By Justin Buehler
For the Mesa Legend

Even after death, the spirit of life lives on through yearly celebrations, tributes and rituals from the other side.

“El dia de los Muertos,” is an ancient Mexican celebration that is held on Nov. 1 and 2 each year to pay tribute to lost family members.

According to ancient tradition, the spirits of ancestors are given divine consent to visit the earth once a year to be with living relatives.

Nov. 1 is referred to as All Saints Day, and is a time when deceased children are remembered while Nov. 2, is known as All Souls Day when adults are recognized in the Mexican culture.

During the communal, the living eat the deceased relatives favorite foods and drinks, usually at the gravesites.

“It is a time of remembrance,” said Jaime Herrera, Professor of English at MCC.

The tradition of the Day of the Dead, or “Dia de los Muertos,” is over 3,000 years old and began in Mexico.

Preperation for the Day of the Dead festivities begins in mid-October since “many families spend weeks prior to Nov. 1 and 2 preparing the food,” said Herrera. Special bread of the dead, or “pan de muertos,” is baked for the festivities.

Children are given toys as gifts at the events as well as candy skulls that have their names on them. “There may also be “empanadas (pastries filled with meat or fruit filling),” added Herrera.

Many businesses put skeletal faces in windows during the festivities, particularly in Mexico.

Tissue banners are also made, and are strung across the street at many of the celebrations with colors ranging from black to pink, yellow and gold.

At the center of the Day of the Dead observance is the “ofrenda”, or alter, which is usually constructed in the home, but is also made at grave sites, or businesses.

Candles, incense, flowers, photographs, imagery of death, sacred icons, and holy pictures line the alters that are dedicated to the dead.

The “ofrenda” according to Eagar,” becomes the focal point for rituals and prayers.”

He also added that it “helps us focus on the transitoriness of life.”