Day of the Dead isn’t just a Mexican Holiday Anymore

Día de los Muertos (“Day of the Dead”) is a holiday that originated in Mexico, but nowadays is celebrated in several different countries around the world. Even here in the United States, communities with a large Mexican population, such as Chicago, Los Angeles and San Antonio, hold fairs, parades, make altars and exhibitions of various kinds to honor their dead.

From the night of October 31st until November 2nd there are different celebrations to commemorate this special date, with November 1st being the day that’s the most special.

The history of the Día de los Muertos

Regarding the origin of the Day of the Dead, it is, in some way, a fusion of different Catholic traditions stemming from All Saints’ or All Souls’ Day and different Aztec rituals,  all of which aim to honor those loved ones who have passed away.

But if we want the exact, specific geographical place where it originated, we must go to the south of Mexico. There, more than three thousand years ago, the first celebrations of deceased souls took place.

When the first Spanish colonizers arrived many years later to “conquer” America, they tried to put an end to these celebrations, as it went against their Catholic beliefs.

However, they underestimated the love, devotion and enthusiasm that the Mexican natives had for this day and were unsuccessful in their attempts to eliminate it. Over time, the Día de los Muertos has prospered, evolved and has been established in different countries around the world, extending far beyond the borders of Mexico. 

It is important to note that although the name may suggest a day of mourning, in reality it is quite the opposite- it is a celebration in which joy abounds. At its core, the day recognizes death as part of the human experience. It seeks to honor the lives of the deceased, so a day is set aside for them to wake up from their eternal sleep to share food, drinks and celebrations with their families.

The Día de los Muertos includes a number of important traditions that many people participate in and come together to celebrate. Some of these traditions are celebrated with the making of different types of offerings, decorations with skulls (very typical on this date) and preparing bread to honor the beloved dead. 

Don’t miss out on more Dia de los Muertos coverage from our LATV team!