Not Mexican Halloween, Day of the Dead!

Mexico’s Day of the Dead, or Día de Muertos as it is called in Spanish, is often mistaken for Mexican Halloween by people who’ve not witnessed the celebration firsthand. While death is the central theme and it takes place around the same time of year as Halloween, there are a number of key differences.

Geography and Religion

The first distinctions worth making are the geographical and historical origins of both traditions. On the one hand, Halloween evolved from the assimilation of early Christian and European Celtic traditions, while the Day of the Dead has its roots in Mexican Aztec mythology.

The Celts celebrated New Year at the end of harvest on November 1 when they would make food offerings to appease the dead. They believed that at this time of year the veil between the spiritual dimension became thinner, allowing spirits to make contact. Thousands of miles away across the ocean and a few centuries later, the Aztecs celebrated Mictecacihuatl, ruler of the underworld and queen of the afterlife in a month-long festival to mark the beginning of summer.

Skulls and Katrinas abound

Early Christian Assimilation

How Mexico’s Day of the Dead came to be celebrated on November 2 is closely tied to the early Christian church’s successful assimilation of the Celtic new year celebrations.

The Christian All-Hallow-Tide was originally observed in the spring and refers to All Hallows Eve, All Saint’s Day and All Soul’s Day. The idea is that saints and good souls make their transition to heaven on these days. All Hallows Eve, that would come to be known as Halloween, was the last chance for bad spirits to come out and play.

In the late 9th century, the Christian All-Hallow-Tide festival changed its date to coincide with the Celtic celebrations at the start of November. Thus, Halloween on October 31 marks the eve “een” of the Hallow “holy” days as well as the Celtic new year. As a result, when the Spanish conquistadors assimilated local Mexican rituals with Christian traditions in 15th and 16th Century the festival honoring Mictecacihuatl merged with All-Hallow-Tide. Thus, November 2 became Day of the Dead.

Day of the Dead Customs

Day of the Dead procession to a graveyard
Day of the Dead procession to a graveyard

 

Due to globalisation and Mexico’s proximity to USA and Canada, it is no surprise that Halloween is taking hold in Mexico. You are likely to see kids dressing up in costumes and trick-or-treating in Mexico on October 31st. However, the Day of the Dead festivities on November 2 are far more sophisticated.

In the weeks leading up to the festival, you will see sugar skulls, candles and pan de muerto on sale everywhere. Pan de Muerto is a delicious sweet bread that is only sold during October. The name literally translates as the somewhat unappealing “dead bread”. Likewise, bright orange marigolds (Cempasuchil) grace florists and roadside stalls.

At home, families prepare altars in honour of their deceased loved ones. The altars are decorated with photographs, skulls, marigolds and the once favourite items of the dearly departed. Pan de muerto and lighted candles provide light and sustenance to the visiting spirits for their journey back to the afterlife.

Day of the Dead altar decorated with marigolsds
Altar decorated for Day of the Dead. By Frida Arriaga / Wikicommons

Altars and Graveyard Fiestas

Graveyards come alive too. Many families will visit the graves of their loved ones, taking food, music, candles and flowers for a festive vigil. It is not unusual for mariachi bands and trios to perform in the graveyards at this time of year. It can be quite a party.

Why not book a cultural getaway to Mexico for 2019 and experience the Dead of the Dead for yourself?

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