Hispanic Christians prepare for Day of the Dead celebration
by Diana De Leon, feature editor

    Family, cultural heritage and death are part of an ancient ritual that has evolved and merged with other traditions and is known today as dia de los muertos or the day of the dead.

   On Nov. 2 families share the spirit of loved ones who are still considered part of the family and recall stories of a life spent together.

   For Hispanic Christians, death is considered the beginning of the eternal life. It is a celebration that is neither sad nor morbid because it honors ancestors and loved ones who have departed to a new and better life.

   The Aztecs honored their departed children, angelitos (little angels), in the ninth month and the adults in the tenth month. Today the day of the dead is really three days, Oct. 31-Nov. 2.

   The celebration blends Aztec and Christian traditions and coincides with the agricultural season in many countries.

   Traditionally, the death of plants in the winter is followed by the hope of a rebirth in the spring. November is the start of the growing season south of the equator, thus the celebration is in November.

   The day of the dead is celebrated in Mexico, South and Central American countries, Puerto Rico and many areas of the United States.

   Recent immigrants from these countries keep the ancient ritual alive within their families to honor their ancestors and the heritage. The celebration has grown to include entire communities, and displays of art and other items can be found in local museums.

   Museums, cultural centers, cities, neighborhoods and store fronts have displays of altars, art work and various masks, skeletons and other items associated with the day of the dead.

   In Mexico and parts of the United States, the holiday is celebrated in the home and at cemeteries with different aspects of the tradition involved.

   Gravesites are cleaned and decorated with flowers and other items, but because cemeteries in the United States are not open late, families cannot stay all night as tradition dictates.

   In the home, families build altars to honor the dead and place items of special significance there.

   A special bread called pan de muertos (bread of the dead) represents the souls of the dead and is an important part of the offering.

   The bread can be shaped into animals or human figures or be round, square or oval, which is considered the shape of the soul.

   Items placed on the altar are offerings to the dead, who judge the sincerity and respect of the living by the quality and quantity of the offerings.

   In some homes, families set an extra place at the dinner table for the dead instead of offerings.

   Traditionally, most altars have a few items in common.

   A picture of the departed and pictures or small statues of saints important to the family are central to the home altar.

   Candles on the altar and at the gravesite are considered essential and in some areas copal, a scented resin used as incense, is also present.

   Copal supposedly drives away evil spirits who were attracted to the altar by the food and candles.

   Flowers symbolize the brief life of man, and the yellow marigold is used inside and outside of the home.

   A path to the celebrants’ house is made from these flowers to help the dead find their way home.

   Although the marigolds and red coxcomb are the most frequently used flowers for the celebration, other flowers can be used. Flowers must be fragrant, for the aroma tells the deceased the richness of the family’s offerings.

   Food is also important. Though the offering starts with the bread of the dead, it can include other foods.

   Mole, a thick sauce made from a variety of ingredients including chocolate, fruit, chili, sesame seeds, herbs, spices, and different meats, is traditionally enjoyed all year, but is used for the dead as well.

   Different kinds of tamales reflect the tastes of the departed. For the angelitos, families select food that is not too spicy.

   Since most Mexican festivals include chocolate as a drink, this special brew also is used for the day-of-the-dead altar.

   Atole, another drink, is basically a sweetened mixture of cornmeal and water.

   Candied pumpkin and other sweets are used, especially if the altar is for an angelito.

   Regional variations on the day of the dead are many, but the importance of having food made from maize (corn) is central to the offering.

   The day of the dead’s key symbol is the calavera (skull) because skeleton icons play an important part in this day. Many of the offerings bear the image of the skull or a skeleton.

   Altars and gravesites often include skulls and skeletons made of sugar, paper, clay or sticks.

   Traditional toys in Mexico include images of skulls and skeletons on the day of the dead. This practice makes a child’s first image of death cheerful and non-frightening.

   Celebrants believe a calavera is still attached to the soul of the deceased and that person lives in the hearts of family and friends.

   Families often decorate the altars with apel picado, colorful tissue paper with elaborate cutouts, sometimes of skeletons doing everyday things.

   Many families who have lost children and adults build separate altars in their home.

   The celebration begins Oct. 31, when they believe the souls of the angelitos return to their families.

   On Nov. 1, the little angels leave and the adults start arriving.

   On Nov. 2, any adults who have not returned to the land of the dead are chased back.

   People in masks, sometimes decorated and brightly colored, run around town chasing souls who have not returned to the land of the dead.

   On the Catholic calendar, Nov. 1 is the day to remember saints and children who are without sin, and Nov. 2 is all souls day, a time is for remembrance of the adults.

   Some might say the day of the dead is simply all souls day reinvented, but the rituals and traditions associated with the celebration are indigenous to the people who celebrate it.

   The day of the dead is a joyful linking of life, death and families, creating the circle of life.