Do you know any Mexican cultures?

There are many kinds of events, foods, habits, costumes, and so on.

Dia de muertos is a Mexican traditional event. This name may give you a negative or dismal image. But, Dia de muertos is a joyful and positive celebration. It is hold for three days from October 31 to November 2 (the date depends on the locality). In these days, people honor the deceased. They decorate flowers, eat special meal, and wear the costume. Dia de muertos is divided into two parts. On November 1, they celebrate all the saints who had an exemplary life and children. And then, on November 2, general celebration is hold and they bring flowers to the graves of family and spend the night awaiting their dead.

 

○ Ofrenda 

Ofrenda means offering in English. In that day, people decorate graves so that the deceased can come back. They decorate flowers such as marigold and red celosia. Marigold has an important meaning, because it leads the deceased to walk. Papel Picado is also decorated. It is a colorful paper which is cut into some shapes. In addition, pan de muerto (bread), candle, and the picture of the deceased are offered.

○Calavera

Calavera means a sugar skull in Spanish. It is created with cane sugar and decorated with a lot of coloured items, whether it’s edible or not. It represents children who have died, and larger ones represents the death of adults. Sometimes they don’t just paint them but also dress them with frilly clothes. Moreover, people in Mexico paints their face like calvera too; in the past they did that also in Halloween Day but that culture is criticised as cultural appropriation.

○Pan de Muerto

It means bread of the dead in Spanish and people in Mexico eat them on November 1 or November 2. They usually make its shape like skulls and bones. The bones are often represented in a circle to portray the circle of life. On the top of the bread there are sugar, sometimes dyed pink. Sometimes they add not only sugar but also cinnamon into the dough. Pan de Muerto is not just a popular religious event, it’s recognised as American pop culture too.

 

If you would like to visit Mexico, choose that date from October 31 to November 2 so that you can enjoy this event. Pray for the deceased, and enjoy eating and decorating. I recommend it!

¡Chao, gracias por leer!