The Day of the Dead

The Day of the Dead

What is The Day of the Dead?

  The Day of the Dead is a traditional festivity of Mexico celebrated from the 31st of October to the 2nd of November,

Besides Mexico, it is celebrated in countries of Central America and in some communities of the United States.

In these days people visit the cementeries and place candles in the tombs of their relatives. 

  It is also common to see people disguised in skull masks, with their faces painted or wearing typical costumes of the celebration.

Origins

  Since the pre-Hispanic time in Mexico, the natives have worshipped death.

After the conquest, the union of the indigenous beliefs with the Spanish Catholicism forged a unique, colorful religious character and that preserved in a certain way the ancestral memories of the old pre-Columbian traditions, giving rise to this festivity.

   

Beliefs

  It is believed that the souls of deceased relatives return in these days; day 1st the souls of adults and day 2nd the souls of children. For this they are received with an offering where they place their favorite food and drink, fruit, candies, even toys for kids.

Perception of death

  In Mexico death is perceived in a very pecular way, for Mexicans use satire to mock it. An example of this is the popular Catrina; a skull dressed in different colorful outfits as a sign of the presence of death in everyday life.

Catrina

          

         

Why did i choose this topic?

  I chose this theme because i was struck by the way of perceiving the death of this festival, in addition to the colors that characterize it, wich I liked very much.