Name: Ortega Lopez Luis Angel

Homework: Traditions Day of the Death.

Date: 31/10/2021

CAMPUS: UVM San Rafael

Career: Contadury
 The Traditions of Mexico's Day of the Dead

Day of the Dead, otherwise known as Día de los Muertos, is rather deceptively not a one-day, but a
multi-day holiday celebrated annually in Mexico on the first two days of November. Principally a
celebration of both life and death in which families commemorate their deceased loved ones, it finds
its roots in Mesoamerican culture, although its popularity nowadays is widespread. Unsurprisingly,
there are more than a few traditions and customs associated with this event.

Constructing altars

The construction of altars is perhaps the principal custom of this longstanding celebration. Often
decorated in vibrant oranges and purples before being piled high with ofrendas (offerings) such as
candles, flowers and personal possessions, these altares  (altars) are generally more private affairs
that are built at home. However, in many communities such as Pátzcuaro, families construct them
right at the graveside of the deceased, and nowadays are also prepared by most public buildings.
The planning can often take months, but the results are admittedly spectacular.

Making ofrendas (offerings) to the dead

This custom goes hand-in-hand with the construction of the emblematic altars, as families select a
variety of ofrendas  (offerings) which supposedly encourage the deceased to return home and hear
the prayers of their loved ones. On November 1 (Día de los Inocentes), deceased children are
offered toys and sweets, while November 2 sees ofrendas  for deceased adults, such as alcohol,
cigarettes and football shirts, as well as the more generic candles,
Mexican cempasúchiles (marigolds) and pan de muerto (sweet bread).

Using cempasúchiles (Mexican marigolds)

While this flower—the tongue-twister named cempasúchil,  also known as flor de muerto—also falls
under the category of an ofrenda,  it’s well worth mentioning in its own right. Mexicans believe that
this flower helps guide their loved one’s soul back to the world of the living, and given that it only
flowers during the rainy season which precedes the Day of the Dead, it has now become heavily
and primarily associated with the festivities.

Creation or purchase of sugar skulls

The term ‘sugar skull’ actually comes from Day of the Dead festivities and is perhaps the most
globally emblematic symbol of both the festivities and Mexico in general. Sugar skulls are either
bought or made by families to add to their altar, and the name of the deceased is often written in
icing on the forehead. In addition to the traditional sugar versions, you can also get chocolate and
biscuit ‘sugar skulls’ during this period.

Holding graveside vigils

Although many opt to stay at home on the night of November 1 and the early hours of November 2,
holding graveside vigils is still common in many Mexican communities and is most definitely one of
this celebration’s most iconic rituals. One particular area in which this trend still thrives is Pátzcuaro,
Michoacán; on November 2, residents (along with throngs of curious tourists) take boats colloquially
known as mariposas (butterflies) to Isla de Janitzio, where they honor their dead in the island’s
cemeteries.

Eating pan de muerto

Another common tradition during the Day of the Dead period is the consumption of the so-
called pan de muerto. Thankfully, this is not bread made of dead people, no matter what the name
might lead you to think. It’s actually lightly orange-flavored sweet bread, which has ‘bonelike’
decorations atop it and a healthy coating of sugar.

Grave cleaning and decorating

Even though not all families choose to honor their loved ones at the graveyard itself, the tradition of
cleaning the grave is still respected by most. This task usually includes tidying the area surrounding
the headstone, but being sure to leave behind the aforementioned cempasúchil  flowers. A complete
altar is often constructed there, too. Graveyards during the Day of the Dead celebrations, contrary
to what you might expect, actually take on the atmosphere of (surprisingly festive) social gatherings.

Displays of calacas

Calacas  are clothed, decorated and colorful skeleton figurines that you’ve undoubtedly seen but
never known the name for. Due to the association of sugar skulls and calacas  (skeletons) with
Mexico as a whole, many places will display such iconography all year round; however, during the
Day of the Dead, calacas are wheeled out in force across the country. Dressed in long, sometimes
regal and traditional Mexican dresses and styles, in Guadalajara they’re displayed down the central
pathway of Avenida Chapultepec.

Taking part in the Catrina parade

Even though this custom more or less only applies to Mexico City—although other locations will
probably hold their own, albeit less grand, version—it is worth a mention. Each year, hundreds of
people dress up as Catrinas and descend on the zócalo  to take part in the Catrina parade.
Attendees paint their faces in the typical style of the Catrina skull, complete with colorful accents
around the eyes and cheeks, and dress in outfits appropriate for the occasion.

Sharing stories of the dead

Finally, one of the most evocative customs that takes place during the Day of the Dead festivities is
the sharing of amusing anecdotes and memories about the deceased. The penchant for telling
funny tales ultimately comes from the notion that the deceased would rather not be remembered
somberly, but cheerfully. This is a tradition often excluded from popular culture because of the
highly intimate nature of it, but it is representative of a wider respect for oral traditions in Mexican
culture.