Mexico, the Day of the Dead

The Feast of the Dead in Mexico 2009

From 1 to 2 November 2009 in Mexico will be held one of the most unusual festivals on the planet - the Day of the Dead or El díia de los muertos. Its peculiarity lies in the fact that although on these days and commemorate the dead relatives this holiday has cheerful and joyful atmosphere. During el díia de los muertos on the streets of Mexican towns and villages appear musicians in costumes of skeletons, are held carnivals, where the main characters are the death and the same skeletons. During the Feast of the Dead all the Mexicans must do two things - to visit the graves of relatives and friends and to invite their souls to their house. Therefore, on November 1 and 2 the cemeteries become places for picnics, where gather all the family members and their families. It is believed that during such celebrations, which are accompanied by lavish feast and the consumption of alcoholic drinks, the souls of the relatives are invisibly present among the live people. By tradition the tomb is decorated with bright yellow flowers and gifts: toys, candies (sugar skulls, on the forehead of which is written the name of whom it is intended to), cigarettes, alcohol and food, and it means that live people invite the dead to make fun with them.

Day of the Dead dates back to pre-Hispanic times, when the Aztecs at the end of the summer celebrated the holiday in honor of the dead children, where were brought heavy offerings and held large ceremonies, the major character of the festival was Miktekatsihuatl - The Lady of the dead. After the conquest of Mexico by the conquistadors in the country began the spreading of the Catholic religion and Spanish priests decided to move the holiday on another day (All Saints Day) and give it a Christian meaning. However, the complete eradication of Indian culture they could not complete and el díia de los muertos still has a pagan connotation.

The Day of the Dead itself consists of two parts: The first day is called "Día de los Angelitos" (the Day of angels), it is dedicated to the commemoration of young children. For adults is November 2 - this is, in fact, the Day of the Dead. On this day are held all the major events: are arranged marches and theatrical performances. In 2003 the holiday was declared by UNESCO the heritage of mankind.

Date: 27/10/2009