Día de los Muertos: Uncovering the Authentic Practices

kdharris

OVERVIEW: All around the Catholic world, the first and second of November are reserved for All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day (or Día de Todos los Santos and Día de las Ánimas in Spanish) to mourn the loss of loved ones.

Día de los Muertos: In Celebration, rather than Memoriam

[Day of the Dead festival in Guatemala City, Guatemala]

Brief History

Día de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead, has been around since the time of the Aztecs, more than 4,00o years ago. While this holiday originated in Mexico, it is celebrated around the world in mostly Catholic communities. From the Philippines to Tucson, Arizona, people come together on the first two days of November to celebrate and remember their loved ones that have passed. Before the Spaniards arrived in Mexico, the dead were often buried close, sometimes even under the family home. There was significant emphasis placed on maintaining ties with the deceased, as they were thought to continue on into the afterlife. With the arrival of the Spanish and Catholicism, All Souls’ and All Saints’ Day practices were incorporated into the the Pre-Hispanic traditions, combining traditional customs with their own ancient beliefs to honor the deceased.

Traditionally, it is believed that heaven’s gates are opened on the night of Halloween, October 31st, and the spirits of the deceased children (angelitos)  reunite with their families for up to 24 hours. On November 2nd, the spirits of the adults return to enjoy the festivities that are prepared for them. These celebrations become one of the most important aspects of this holiday.

A Celebration, Rather than a Memorial

Día de Los Muertos takes on an incredibly upbeat vibe, as the two-day event vibrantly celebrates the lives of loved ones that have passed. Thus, vivid colors, lively festivities, and extravagant parties are associated with this holiday in order to provide spirits with a welcoming homecoming.

Despite its name, Day of the Dead is not so much a holiday for grieving as it is a celebration of life and death as part of one natural cycle. The festivities stem from the belief that those who have departed come back to celebrate their memories with family and loved ones for the duration of two days. The customs for the celebration vary from region to region, but many remain consistent throughout.

Offerings for the Sprits

[Replicated sugar skulls made out of clay]
Because of the belief that the dead should be celebrated, rather than mourned, extravagant parties are held where a spirit’s favorite things are arranged for them to enjoy during their return. Families of the deceased would arrange the deceased person’s favorite foods, scents, pictures, and belongings on an altar, or ofrenda, in the family home. It is believed that the spirits consume the essence and the aroma of the foods offered on the altar, then, when the spirits leave, the family and loved ones share and enjoy the remainder of the offered items.

Many items are placed on the ofrenda, including the traditional sugar skull, or calavera de azúcar, a seasonal bread made for the occasion, pan de muertos, and vibrant marigold flowers that are typically in season. It is believed that the ofrendas need to be prepared with lots of food, bottles of soda, hot cocoa, and water bottles for the weary spirits. Toys and candies are offered for the angelitos, or the younger souls, while cigarettes and alcohol are often placed on the altars of the deceased adults.

The decoration of altars for loved ones is an expensive tradition, especially for those in rural places. However, many believe it is necessary to keep spirits happy in return for their protection, good luck and wisdom. Not to mention, building ofrendas keeps the family close.

The History behind the Traditional Ofrendas: 

[My ofrenda drying after being spray painted]
Ofrenda making is a great family activity because everyone can participate and commemorate the dead in unique ways. The altar is where people can express their feelings for those loved ones being honored. Americans (and non-Catholics) are beginning to adopt this tradition and now altars are becoming popular in private homes as well as in public places. Regional custom and tradition have a lot to do with what people put on their altars, but in Southern Mexico, several things are a must: an arch made of sugar cane, candles, copal incense, a glass of water for the weary traveling spirit, flowers ~ especially orange marigolds (cempasuchil) and red cocks combs ~ special foods like tamales and mole, skeleton decorations and sugar skulls.

The altar provides a feast for the visiting spirits. Favorite items of the person being honored are displayed on the altar. An altar may honor more than one person and a cross made of marigold petals recognizes each person. Names of the honored guests are put on sugar skulls, oranges, apples and big loaves of bread. Little skeleton figurines and sugar skulls are used to decorate the altar and poke fun at death.

Members of the family never eat off the altar until the food has been enjoyed by the spirits and they have safely returned to heaven. But on November 3, the family enjoys a feast they’ve been waiting for all year!

Directions for making an Ofrenda:

For purposes of space and location, learn how to make a smaller version of an ofrenda, using an old shoe box!

[My ofrenda during the decorating process. I made one for my Uncle Joe who passed in 2012.]

Take a shoe box and arrange so that the base of the box sits in the lid, and creates a stage-like appearance, similar to a shoe box diorama. Use a hot glue gun to secure the base and the lid of the box. Once dry, I recommend painting the exterior of the altar, or using construction paper to cover up the branding from the shoe company. After all the branding is covered, begin decorating your altar in celebration of your loved one. Make sure your loved one’s name is front and center, along with pictures of him or her, vivid colors, and some of their favorite items, like candies, food, and belongings. Once complete, set aside to make sure everything is dry and set in place, then bring to your loved one’s grave or keep in your home as a constant reminder of their vibrant life!

The Sweet Tradition of Sugar Skulls, or Calaveras de Azúcar:

Traditional sugar skulls are made from a granulated white sugar mixture that is pressed into special skull molds. After drying, the skulls are often decorated with icing, feathers, colored foil, and more. They range in sizes and are included in the ofrenda, as the name of the deceased is usually printed across the forehead of the skull and placed on the altar. Smaller skulls are made for decoration and often consumption, depending on what is used to decorate them. The designs on the skulls are usually whimsical and brightly colored, often times decorated with stripes, dots, and swirls of icing.

According to ancient tales, sugar skull making dates back to the 17th century when Italian missionaries visited the New World. During that time, Mexicans had very little money and learned from the Catholic friars how to make decorations out of an ingredient they had plenty of- sugar. Molds were made of clay and the sugar decorations were used to adorn the church as well as ofrendas and gravestones.

Directions for making a Calavera de Azúcar: 

The basic mixture is 1 cup of sugar, 1 teaspoon of meringue powder (or cream of tartar which works just as well), and 1 teaspoon of water. Mix all ingredients and put in a sugar skull mold. Almost immediately, dump the sugar out upside down onto a piece of cardboard and then let sit for at least 12 hours. Some molds have a backside of the skull, so follow the same directions, and adhere the two sides together using icing. The icing mixture calls for 1 pound of powdered sugar, 1/4 cup meringue powder or cream of tartar, and 1/3 cup of water. Mix vigorously for about 8-10 minutes, or until peaks form. Then stick together and let sit for up to 30 minutes before decorating. For decorations, use any type of royal icing and other fun accessories like small candies and sprinkles. Once finished, place on ofrendas or use to decorate the house. Enjoy!

Bibliography

Works Cited

  1. Barbezat, Suzanna. Day of the Dead in Mexico. www.gomexico.about.com/od/festivalsholidays/p/day_of_the_dead. Accessed 12 April 2017. Web.
  2. Brandes, Stanley. Skulls to the Living, Bread to the Dead:. Malden, Mass: Blackwell Pub., 2008. Print.
  3. Guide, Educator Resource. “Día de los Muertos.” Print.
  4. Kenyon, Chelsie. Sugar Skull History- Dia de los Muertos. www.thespruce.com/sugar-skull-history. Accessed 12 April 2017. Web.
  5. Mayes, Laura Harrison. How to Make Sugar Skulls. www.thequeso.com/how-to-make-sugar-skulls-its-totally-easy-also-happy-dia-de-los-muertos. Accessed 10 April 2017. Web.
  6. Sayer, Chloë. Fiesta: Days of the Dead & Other Mexican Festivals. Austin: U of Texas, Published in Co-operation with the British Museum, 2009. Print.
  7. Sherman, Emily, “Día de los Muertos” (2014). 2014 Symposium. 29. Print.

Image and Video Citation 

  1. DeFreitas, Michael. Kites of Barriletes on Day of the Dead. Digital image. Día De Los Muertos. Alamy.com, 2012. Web. 12 Apr. 2017.
  2. Day of the Dead Parade. Digital image. El Día De Los Muertos. Hercampus.com, 2 Nov. 2016. Web. 10 Apr. 2017.
  3. El Día De Los Muertos. Digital image. El Día De Los Muertos. Hercampus.com, 2 Nov. 2016. Web. 10 Apr. 2017.
  4. How to Sugar Skulls without Meringue Powder. Perf. Katrinaosity. Youtube.com. 22 Oct. 2014. Web. 10 Apr. 2017.
  5. My photos.