Wednesday, November 2, 2016

La Dia de los Muertos

Today is All Souls' Day, as we call it in Louisiana. It's a day where family members remember their deceased family members with prayers; and refurbish or decorate their graves. It's celebrated each November 2nd, the day after All Saints' Day (Le Jour de Toussaints).

In central and southern Mexico (especially Oaxaca), it takes a more exotic form: La Dia de los Muertos. Supposedly, today is the day when deceased relatives return to life and mingle with their living relatives. It's a day of celebration, with feasting and candies in the form of decorated sugar skulls, marigolds, and other offerings for the celebration. It's a joyous occasion in Mexico as well as a day of remembrance. Perhaps a little grim for some norteamericanos' taste, though.

Even the cat gets into the act.



12 comments:

  1. Really cool artwork. Where from?

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  2. Yes, let's share sweets with our ancestors!

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  3. I think this is a wonderful way to celebrate the dead. I know my mom, who is German, used to celebrate All Saint's Day by remembering the people who passed. I love the art work and the bright colours and the meanings behind it all which I know is there.

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  4. I like the celebration.
    The treats left in the cemeteries are pretty cool.

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  5. It is beautiful to see this day celebrated.

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  6. Plenty of Halloween candy left over to share.

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  7. Sugar skulls - yummy! You can eat your ancestors too!

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  8. Sugar skulls - yummy! You can eat your ancestors too!

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  9. I don't take quite as harsh a view as my wife does. She's a Latina who is not Mexican and she thinks the Dia de la Muerte stuff is ridiculous. Me, I see it as a capitalistic opportunity for those who take advantage of it. In the city where we live which is about 90% Mexican heritage I don't see anyone celebrating the day and even Halloween seemed rather light this year. Maybe the election circus has sucked most of the air out of the room and everything else is getting covered up by it.

    Pass me a sugar skull please.

    Arlee Bird
    Tossing It Out

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