DAY OF THE DEAD

Gala of Mexican hospitality.

By Mexigo.

Translation by Mariana Mier y Teran.

Hospitality is a deep rooted Mexican characteristic, and with the same devotion they await the arrival of a new member of the family, just as they also prepare themselves to welcome a departed one.

They not only celebrate a new arrival, but also the arrival of the dead one, who according to tradition, they return from “beyond” only once a year during the “Day of dead".

As this is a date of extreme importance, everything must be prepared to assist the “the muertito” (or dead one), find his way home to enjoy his return to the world (even for as short as this trip may be), to come back from beyond. If prayers were strong and sufficient, and all rituals were carried on as they should be, then “the muertito” may be able to return having ascended spiritually, for instance from the purgatory to heaven.

Cemeteries get transformed to places of celebration in all the parts of the country. Mariachis and guitar trios offer to play songs at $50 pesos (5USd) a piece for “the muertito”, while the relatives are cleaning the tablets laboriously and decorate the tombs with flowers, gifts and some of the deceased´s favourite belongings.

The details of the celebration and the famous “Dead Altars” vary according to region in Mexico: In the Yucatan Peninsula the Mayans call “Hanal-Pixan” (Food for the soul), also in Michoacán, the Purepechas “Kejtzitakua Zapicheri” (Vigil of little angels), do share some symbolism.

Contrary to being this a sad festival, many take advantage of the occasion to take a few photographs with all the family, sharing refreshment and a bite to eat, whilst seating comfortably on the tomb.

The custom states that first of November is the day when all children’s souls come for a visit, whilst the second of November or “Day of the late saints” is the adults turn.

“The day of dead festivities” are part of the UNESCO “Intangible heritage list”. On this date, the streets are scattered with altars, filled with important symbolisms, in honour of relatives and friends. Bakeries offer the famous “bread of death” and sugar skulls branded with the deceased name on the forehead. The typical flower of the season and the occasion is the Cempazuchitl flower, which fills the streets with colour, showing the dead the way for a family reunion.

Historically, it has been known of the close relationship Mexicans have with death; we speak to it in the first person and with its own name: “huesuda” (bony) or “the Catrina”. Every year during the month of November (which matches the “day of all saints”) we face it, we celebrated it, we laugh and drink together, because after all: “!The way you look is how I looked, and how you see me, it is how you will see yourself!”