Blogamole › dia de los muertos

By Michael Lopez

Good news Halloween fans. You can actually keep the parties going two days longer next week. Traditional Día de los Muertos celebrations are popping up more and more in the U.S., which means the dancing skeletons, wild costumes, and yummy treats will continue through November 2!

For anyone unfamiliar, Dia de los Muertos (or "Day of the Dead" as it's also known) falls on the first two days of November and is meant to honor those who have passed on. Its origins can be traced back to the Aztecs, who would create makeshift altars to attract the spirits of their lost loved ones.

Throughout the centuries, symbols like flowers, incense, and the famous "sugar skull" have been used to build the homemade shrines. As the legend goes, November 1 would mark El Día de los Inocentes for the departed children’s souls and November 2 would be El Día de los Difuntos, accounting for everyone else.

Though its roots are in Mexico, Día de los Muertos has extended throughout Latin America. Countries like Guatemala, Ecuador, and Brazil organize huge festivals and prayer services to mark the occasion.

And even more interesting is the boom that Muertos has been experiencing in the U.S. States like California, New Mexico, and Texas have seen its popularity grow to rival that of Halloween! In Houston, for example, there is now a "Day of the Dead Rock Star" event, where party goers dress up like their favorite deceased music celebs. Tupac Shakur, Johnny Cash, and "El Marvin Gaye" have become popular staples of the celebration.

"It's everywhere now," said Carlos Hernandez, who launched the " Rock Stars" event. "You can even get Dia de los Muertos stuff at Wal-Mart!”

Over in Albuquerque, the holiday is getting an "artistic" touch. The city's National Hispanic Cultural Center is hosting a "Dia de los Muertos Community Gathering," which features some of the most famous Day of the Dead art from around the world. There will also be recreations of traditional altars and lectures on Muertos' religious origins.

And in L.A., the holiday is getting a star-studded touch. Of course none of the celebrities attending the event at the Hollywood Forever Cemetary will be alive, but they'll be "present" nevertheless. Legends like Rudolph Valentino and Douglas Fairbanks have made Forever their final resting place and, for one night only, their graves entire will be transformed into traditional Dia de los Muertos altars. There will also be live music, moonlight ghost stories, and tons of delicious Mexican food.

We highly recommend looking up the local Muertos events in your area. They're fun, they're educational, and they can let you live out your Halloween festivities for just a wee bit longer.

Are you a fan of Dia de los Muertos? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Blogger: Michael Lopez, Cultura, Day of the Dead, Day of the Dead Rock Star, dia de los muertos, Halloween, Holidays, Hollywood Forever Cemetary

By: Alejandra Pereira

Traditionally, Latinos are notoriously famous for being very involved with their close-knit families. It should come as no surprise then that in Mexico and several places throughout Latin America there is a special holiday set aside to honor the memories of the loved ones that have passed on.

The Day of the Dead. Hearing the name of this traditional Mexican holiday for the first time can cause chills to creep up anyone's spine. Upon closer examination of its origins and traditions, realization sinks in that it's actually quite a beautiful concept and only slightly creepy.

Image: Lawrence Migdale

Why is it the Day of the Dead?

El día de los muertos is a time when families get together to honor the memories of the loved ones that are no longer with them. Rituals honoring the deaths of ancestors have been observed in civilizations around the globe since pre-Colombian times. Many cultures believe that death is a special occasion as a person's soul is passing into the afterlife. This is a happy time for some as they believe that their loved ones are moving on to a better place.

The Day of the Dead Isn't Really Just One Day

Traditionally, El día de los muertos is celebrated on the 1st and 2nd of November. Why these dates? They were chosen so that this pagan celebration could coincide with the Catholic holidays that fall on those days, All Saints Day and All Souls Day. Children are usually honored on November 1st, with grownups being honored on the 2nd. The holiday is celebrated in different ways throughout Mexico, so in some communities, the festivities begin as early as October 28th and last until November 3rd.

Symbols and offerings

The festivities of the Day of the Dead are planned throughout the year. Families gather goods to give in offering to their loved ones during the celebration. These ofrendas are taken to the cemetery and placed on the graves along with flowers and other decorations. The orange marigold flower is the most commonly-used symbol for this day. These flowers are thought to attract the souls of the dead to the offerings, causing them to be commonly known as Flor de Muerto, or "Flower of the Dead."

Traditionally, toys are brought to the cemeteries as offerings to deceased children. Bottles of Tequila, Mezcal and Pulque, traditional Mexican liquors, are common offerings left on the graves of adults. Pillows and blankets are also traditionally left out so that the spirits can rest their weary heads from their long journey.

Image: John & Lisa Merrill

Food offerings and altars

The cemetery isn't the only place where offerings are left. Most homes also erect altars where relatives can leave food offerings like sugar skulls, candied pumpkins and pan de muerto, a special seasonal bread. Why food offerings? Many believe that the spirits of the dead nourish themselves with the essence of the foods they receive as offerings. While the celebrators consume the food once the festivities are done, they believe that their loved ones have already taken all its sustenance, leaving the food devoid of nutritional value.

Getting back to the altars, they are commonly decorated with a cross and a statue or picture of the Virgin Mary to tie the celebration into the Catholic faith. Pictures of the deceased are other common decorations on an altar as well as a myriad of candles. Many families gather at the altar during the celebration to pray and share fond memories they have of their loved ones. Government entities and public schools throughout Mexico set up small altars in their facilities as well because El día de los muertos is one of the most culturally-significant holidays on the Mexican calendar.

Calaveritas

Another common tradition associated with the Day of the Dead is the creation of Calaveritas. People throughout Mexico show off their writing skills and create short poems commemorating their deceased loved ones. These poems are mock epitaphs that honor their memories and actions. National newspapers and magazines create their own calaveritas as well as cartoons making light of political figures.

So now that you've learned a bit more about the Day of the Dead, what are your thoughts on this holiday? Leave us your comments below!

Tags cultura latina, Day of the Dead, dia de los muertos, Holidays, Latin Culture, Traditions

Ever wonder what your favorite artists think about Halloween y El Día De Los Muertos?  What are their favorite childhood costumes, spookiest Halloween stories or how do they celebrate la fiesta?  Si quieres saber, watch the exclusive spoooky clips below!

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Tags Alexis y Fido, Cafe Tacuba, Calle 13, Carlos Santos, dia de los muertos, Halloween, John Leguizamo, MTV Tr3s, panda, Pee Wee, Residente, spooky, trick-or-treat, Video, Wisin y Yandel, Zoe