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:

Silent Bob said...

Really cool artwork. Where from?

Cloudia said...

Yes, let's share sweets with our ancestors!

TexWisGirl said...

texas celebrates it a bit.

Birgit said...

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.

John A Hill said...

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

Big Sky Heidi said...

It is beautiful to see this day celebrated.

Mike said...

Plenty of Halloween candy left over to share.

Gorilla Bananas said...

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

Gorilla Bananas said...

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

Chuck the Grumpy Cat said...

That's a weird holiday.

Arlee Bird said...

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

bakku-shan said...

The skeleton kitty is cute!