I love Mexican holidays! Each is filled with history, culture and passion.
We just celebrated Day of the Dead, or as we call it “El Día de Los Muertos”. This celebration is in memory of our deceased loved ones. But this is not a somber holiday—El Día de los Muertos is a celebration of life! It is the day when we are reminded to enjoy today, while honoring all those who have passed away. It is interesting to me that the Day of the Dead celebrations in Mexico can be traced back to the country’s indigenous cultures, spanning back 3000 years!
Each day of the celebration has a different focus. On November 1st we honor children. This day is recognized as “Día de los Inocentes” (Day of the Innocents) or “Día de los Angelitos” (Day of the Little Angels). November 2nd is for the adults and is the true “Día de los Muertos.”
Whether at their home or at the graves of the deceased, family members erect shrines to lost loved ones, complete with flowers, gifts and are often serenaded with music! The memorials are further decorated with brightly colored flowers, sugar skulls, “el pan de muerto” (a sweet bread), “calabaza entacha” (a pumpkin dessert) and the favorite dishes of the deceased. And of course, one of the most recognizable characters of Day of the Dead is also “La Catrina,” the elegant skeleton.
Here in Ixtapa- Zihuatanejo, we gather at the Plaza Principal to create grand memorials to those we have lost, and of course to celebrate life! Every year, I look forward to this event and all that it represents.
Do you partake in any similar celebrations? What are your favorite elements?