Streets are lined with flower venders selling colorful varieties of flowers. The
most significant one is the ZEMPASUCHIL, or the marigold. It is thought that the pungent aroma of this blossom
helps the deceased find his or her way home. This journey back to the living is a long one
and upon his/her return, the dearly departed is hungry and needs to be fortified. The road
to the living must be mad easy and not slippery with tears.
The brightly colored MARIGOLD or ZEMPASUCHIL is referred to as the flower of the dead. Paths of marigold petals can be seen leading up to the home of the honored where an OFRENDA
is constucted within the home. Although customs vary from region to region, in many homes one can find ARCOS or arches that have been erected to honor the deat. Altars or OFRENDASare made to honor the dead who return. All of his/her favorite foods are placed on the altar along with candles and a photograph of the deceased. This festive interaction with the living and the dead demonstrates the firm belief in the cycle of life and death.Death is not looked upon as a morbid aspect but rather a mockery of life. The Mexicans poke fun at death during this time and have fun with it. It is a mixture of the indigenous culture and christianity as it fall on the dates of the Catholic feasts of All Souls and All Saints Days. Family members and friend give one another SUGAR SKULL or CALAVERASthat may have their friends' names inscribed oon the skull! Another custom in the partaking of the PAN DE LOS MUERTOS is that it is considered good luck if one bites into the plastic toy that the baker has hidden in the bread.
Also customary in some of the regions is for families to go out into the cemetery and
clean up the burial site and place the departed's favorite drinks and food along with
candles, flowers and a photograph of the loved one.
A couple of years ago I had the opportunity to travel to Cholula to attend the Days of
the Dead. It was a wonderful experience to see this celebration in real life. We visited the
cemeteries and witnessed the preparation of the crypts. We talked with the people making
the preparations and although the circumstances of death were tragic, the Mexican people
accept death on a different level. We were also invited into some homes and shown the
ofrendas constructed for loved ones. It truly was a happy celebrations. Family members
gathered for the fiesta. One gentleman was almost apologetic as his altar was rather
"meager". He explained that the more money one has, the more elaborate the altar. We
were moved by this love and commitment that the Mexicans have for this holiday.
I have scanned and posted some of the pictures that I took while in Cholula last year.
Click HERE to see the
photos and a brief explanation.
In my classroom, we re-enact our own version of the Day of the Dead and just have some
fun with it. We have never had any problem with this, but I understand that some schools
do not permit the celebration fo this in the classroom as some view it as "devil worship".
This is most unfortunate as it is a custom rich in culture.