The Spirits Emerge: Day of the Dead

The Spirits Emerge: Day of the Dead

What is Day of the Dead?

     Day of the dead is a holiday celebrated in the beginning of November with occasionally the date October 31st. This holiday is celebrated by visiting the graves of loved ones, hosting a feast, setting up an altar (a table with food, candles, and pictures of a certain person or people), and making sugar skulls. It is mostly celebrated by Spanish-speaking countries. (For example, Mexico and Portugal) From what we know, anybody can celebrate this beloved holiday. 

 

Why do people celebrate Day of the Dead?

     People celebrate Day of the Dead because they are paying respect and allowing community members to come see their loved ones. The Day of the Dead (also known as el Día de los Muertos), is a Mexican holiday where families welcome back the souls of their deceased relatives. This includes food, drinks, and celebrations. This holiday is a blend of Mesoamerican rituals, European religion, and Spanish culture. 

 

How do I celebrate the Day of the Dead?

People can celebrate the Day of the Dead by:

  • Paying respect to loved ones
  • Hosting a feast
  • Setting up an altar
  • Making your own sugar skulls
  • Play music and party with your family 
  • Visiting your loved one’s graves and add things like flowers or food
  • Doing sugar skull makeup

This type of celebration goes on for a couple of days. Many people watch the animated movie Coco, which portrays the Day of the Dead. Day of the Dead is a very vibrant holiday where you celebrate your dead loved ones. People that celebrate this holiday see it as the border between the spirit world and the real world dissolving. This makes the souls of the dead awaken and return to the living world to feast, drink, dance, and play music with their loved ones. 

What do people think Day of the Dead is?

     Most people think Day of the Dead is the “Mexican halloween” which is very incorrect. People may think it is something satanic or a Halloween specifically for Mexicans. Day of the Dead is something people should honor and talk about more.