Whether you are of Mexican descent, have Hispanic friends or you’ve seen (and loved!) the popular movie “Coco,” you are well aware of the colorful and iconic holiday Día de los Muertos, also known as the Day of the Dead.
Many people know the basic traditions of Dia de los Muertos, like making an ofrenda (an altar with offerings to loved ones who have passed) and painting your face to look like a skull.
But when did this significant observance start and how did it become so deeply rooted in Mexican history and culture? Why is it that we make offerings to the dead and what is the symbolism behind them?
Here is your guide to the history of Día de los Muertos.
Honoring the ancestors:How to make a Dia de los Muertos ofrenda and what traditionally goes on one
When is Dia de los Muertos?
Dia de los Muertos is traditionally celebrated on Nov. 1 and 2 but many people start as much as a month prior.
According to tradition, Day of the Dead being celebrated on Nov. 1 and 2 has to do with the Catholic All Saints and All Souls days.
“In Catholicism, Nov. 1 is relegated for all saints, which is to say it's not a saint's day. It's all the saints' day. It's the day where you give thanks and honor all of the different Catholic saints that exist,” said Mathew Sandoval, associate teaching professor at Barrett the Honors College at Arizona State University.
“Nov. 2 is All Souls Day because in Catholic tradition, not everybody who dies immediately goes to heaven or to hell. There exists this third area called purgatory in Catholic tradition, which is to say that the soul just kind of exists in this limbo space. So All Souls Day, Nov. 2, would be a day when you would make prayers and offerings to help those souls who are in purgatory eventually elevate into heaven.”
It's also said that Nov. 1 is to celebrate the angelitos or little angels, those who died as children. Nov. 2 is to celebrate adults who have passed.
Dia de los Muertos history timeline
The history of Día de los Muertos is complex and multifaceted. It originated from ancient pre-Hispanic Mesoamerican rituals practiced by Indigenous peoples in what is now known as Central Mexico.
Specifically, the Aztecs had death rituals that involved making offerings to the deceased. In their belief system, the dead were not gone, but rather they had an intimate relationship with the living and offerings were made to maintain a reciprocal relationship.
“The other thing to keep in mind when we talk about pre-Hispanic rituals, death rituals, et cetera, is that we're not talking about all of indigenous Mexico,” said Sandoval. “Ancient Mexico is incredibly diverse. It's more than just Aztecs and Mayans. It's more than just Olmec and Zapotec. There are 200-plus Indigenous peoples that have existed there.”
Day of the Dead is celebrated in various regions of Mexico as well as other countries with significant Mexican populations. However, the ways in which the holiday is celebrated vary widely depending on the region and the specific cultural influences present.
For example, Sandoval said that people in Guatemala make giant kites to reach their ancestors, while in Bolivia there are processions involving the actual skulls of ancestors.
Dia de los Muertos religious history
Sandoval says each Indigenous group has its own unique rituals and beliefs. Day of the Dead is often associated with Aztec roots, but that's just one component of the rich tapestry of ancient Mexico.
As history shows, Spain sent people to the Americas to colonize Mexico and Latin America. But what many people don’t realize is that Spain had a very diverse makeup of people. Sandoval points out that Spain was invaded multiple times and held as an empire by north Africans.
“So African spirituality is also a deep part of this tradition that often gets left out,” said Sandoval.
“And that's true when we think about even the African slave trade to Mexico. Africans who came over as slaves to Mexico, their religion mixed with Indigenous religion, which also mixed with Catholic religion as well. And Africa also has a deep tradition of honoring ancestors. So I think it's way more complicated than just saying this is something that comes from ancient Mexico.”
When did Dia de los Muertos start and why?
The celebration of Dia de los Muertos has deep historical roots in Indigenous Mexican cultures, dating back over 3,000 years. The exact origins are challenging to pinpoint due to the lack of written records.
Prior to the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century, these Indigenous cultures held festivals to commemorate the dead. When the Spanish colonized the Americas, they brought Catholicism. Over time, the Day of the Dead became intertwined with Catholic traditions.
The original dates of the celebration were moved to coincide with All Saints' Day (Nov. 1) and All Souls' Day (Nov. 2) in the Catholic liturgical calendar. This allowed Indigenous people to continue their practices without drawing the suspicion of Spanish colonizers, who sought to suppress Indigenous religions.
“A lot of times the Catholic components, the European and Spanish components are often left by the wayside. Many people who I have interviewed always begin with the pre-Hispanic roots of Dia de los Muertos which are non-negotiable,” said Sandoval.
Why is the Day of the Dead so important?
Dia de los Muertos celebrates the memory of loved ones who have died. Key reasons why this holiday holds such significance include:
- Honoring Ancestors and loved ones.
- Celebrating life and death.
- Maintaining cultural identity and heritage.
- Showing respect for death.
- Preserving tradition.
Do all Mexicans celebrate Day of the Dead?
A common misconception is that all Mexican people celebrate the holiday.
“In general, most people in the United States think of Day of the Dead as a Mexican thing, which is true and not true,” said Sandoval.
“True in the sense that a big component of it that's recognizable to people, like the imagery of Day of the Dead, does really come from Mexico. But also not true in the sense that it's not as if every Mexican citizen celebrates Day of the Dead. For many of us, this wasn't a tradition, and for some, they're only learning about it now.”
Calaveras de azucar:Sugar skulls are an iconic symbol of the Day of the Dead. Here's how to make them
What is the meaning of the Day of the Dead?
The overall meaning of Dia de los Muertos is to celebrate the cycle of life and death, to cherish the memories of those who have passed away and to reaffirm the strong bond between the living and the dead.
In recent years, Day of the Dead has gained popularity beyond Mexico, with people from various backgrounds and cultures celebrating. While some may view this as cultural appropriation, others say that the holiday's essence as a healing tradition should be shared with all who find value in it.
It is crucial, however, to approach the celebration with respect and understanding of its cultural significance to avoid superficial or misinformed practices.
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Introduction
I'm a passionate enthusiast with a deep understanding of the rich cultural traditions and history of Día de los Muertos. My expertise in this area stems from extensive research, academic study, and personal engagement with the vibrant celebrations and customs associated with this iconic holiday.
Día de los Muertos
Día de los Muertos, also known as the Day of the Dead, is a colorful and iconic holiday deeply rooted in Mexican history and culture. It is traditionally celebrated on November 1 and 2, with preparations often starting as much as a month prior. The holiday involves making ofrendas, or altars with offerings to loved ones who have passed, and painting one's face to resemble a skull.
Origins and History
The history of Día de los Muertos is complex and multifaceted, originating from ancient pre-Hispanic Mesoamerican rituals practiced by Indigenous peoples in what is now known as Central Mexico. Specifically, the Aztecs had death rituals that involved making offerings to the deceased, maintaining a reciprocal relationship with the dead. The celebration has deep historical roots in Indigenous Mexican cultures, dating back over 3,000 years. It is challenging to pinpoint the exact origins due to the lack of written records, but it is known that the Spanish colonization of the Americas brought Catholicism, intertwining the Day of the Dead with Catholic traditions.
Religious and Cultural Influences
Day of the Dead is often associated with Aztec roots, but it is essential to recognize the diverse tapestry of ancient Mexico, including the influence of African spirituality and the blending of African, Indigenous, and Catholic religious traditions. The holiday is celebrated in various regions of Mexico and other countries with significant Mexican populations, with diverse cultural influences shaping the specific ways in which the holiday is observed.
Significance and Traditions
Día de los Muertos holds significant importance as it allows for the honoring of ancestors and loved ones, celebrating life and death, maintaining cultural identity and heritage, showing respect for death, and preserving tradition. It is crucial to understand that not all Mexican people celebrate the holiday, and its recognition extends beyond Mexico, with people from various backgrounds and cultures embracing its essence as a healing tradition.
Conclusion
Día de los Muertos is a deeply meaningful and culturally rich holiday that celebrates the cycle of life and death, cherishes the memories of those who have passed away, and reaffirms the strong bond between the living and the dead. As the holiday's popularity extends beyond Mexico, it is essential to approach its celebration with respect and understanding of its cultural significance to avoid superficial or misinformed practices.
