El+Dia+de+Los+Muertos

=El Dia de Los Muertos = . //** Overview **// El Dia de Los Muertos is a holiday celebrated in Mexico  and people of Mexican heritage throughout Latin America, the United States, and Canada. When some people first hear this name, negative connations fill their heads. However, it is exactly the opposite, El Dia de Los Muertos is a ritual in which Mexicans lovingly remember their close relatives that have passed. The holiday spans over two days, November 1st and 2nd, which directly correlates to the Catholic holidays "All Saints Day" and "All Souls Day." Holidays very similar to El Dia de Los Muertos are also celebrated all around the world on this day. The holiday is centered around the gathering of the deceased's family to honor and show reverence to their loved ones that have passed on. During the first day of celebration, November 1st, the family cleans the area surrounding the grave; they pull weeds, plant flowers, and most importantly paint the tomb white, which signifies purity. Then on November 2nd all of the festivities begin. Many traditions include bringing flowers, specifically marigolds, candy skulls, pan del muerto, and the favorite food and drink of the deceased and visiting the grave. Common foods and drinks that are brought consist birria, tamales, pozole,el pan del muerto, cerveza and tequila . Following a long day of eating and drinking the family members then attend a mass at the end of the day .(Perton)

** Origin ** El Dia de Los Muertos has been celebrated in Mexico and many other Latin Countires for centuries. The precise origins of this day have been lost throughout history; however, some believe it came from the Olmecs, a civilization in South Central Mexico dominant from the years 1200-400 BC. The Olmecs were progenitors of many Middle American cultures like the Aztecs, Mayas, Toltecs, Zapotecs, etc...

The Origin can be traced much better from the Aztec Empire , who ruled the region in the 14th and 16th centuries. They commemorated the dead for an entire month, which was presided by the goddess Mictecacihuatl, the Lady of the Dead, and Huitzilopochtli, the god of war. It was a very joyous and passionate occasion as it still remains today.(Erichsen)

The occasion required ways to make the spirits come and make them feel welcome. An arch of bright yellow marigolds was put around the door leading into the home, as a symbolic door from the underworld. Tameles, fruit, corn, and salt were then placed on an altar on the front porch in front of the arch. Traditionally, children's spirits would visit on the first night and the spirits of adults on the following. Then, when everybody was together once again, the family would eat, drink, and sing songs giving reverence to the deceased. (Lonely Planet: Mexico p. 58-59)

The landing of Colombus in 1492/1498 marked the beginning of European colonization in Latin America. Obviously, when these two religions met they were not on even ground. Many priests were shocked and horrified with the joyous manner of how the Aztecs celebrated death, they viewed as a mockery to death. The priests cut the celebration down to two days in length and moved to coincide with their All Saints/All Souls holiday. However, in Mexico and Latin America the orignal tradition still survives. media type="file" key="tiny.3gp"

Sources http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Day_of_the_Dead Erichsen, Gerald. "Day of the Dead." 8 Dec 2008 http://spanish.about.com/cs/culture/a/dayofdead.htm. Perton, Marvin H. "Day of the Dead, Dia de los Muertos." 8 Dec 2008 . Noble, John. __Mexico__. 9. China: Bookmaker International, 2004.