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Oct 31, 1000
The start of Day of the Dead-
The tradition of Day of the dead starts on October 31 and is celebrated until November 2. Day of the dead celebrates life and honors as well as remembers the dead. Rituales started as much as 3,000 years ago. -
Day of the dead foods
- Pan de muerto
Pan de muerto is a popular food that is often shaped into skulls and crossbones. its and egg-y like bread that is usually topped with sugar. - Mole
only a small amount of alter food (ofrenda) is needed to give to the dead. When eating mole, which can contain 20-50 ingredients must be eaten completely.
sugar pumpkins are grown and cooked in a syrup made of raw sugar rafter being chopped into bite sized pieces. - Pan de muerto
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Cemeteries and alters -
Alters are very important in the day of the dead celebration. Food and drinks are set out as offerings to the dead, but cemeteries are also important. We spend time there, and talk and celebrate life while we are there. We clean their graves and decorate them. Cemeteries are longer bleak and gray but colorful and floral. -
Day of the Dead Summary -
Day of the dead is a three day long celebration of the dead for the living, filled with bright flowers and colorful foods. Day of the dead includes October 31st, as all hallows eve, November 1st all saints day - to celebrate all of those who have passed and reached heaven. And November 2nd - the day of the dead, a day used to celebrate all of those who have passed on but not yet reached heaven. -
The parade
This year, there were many parades to remember all of those we lost in the earthquakes that happened earlier in the year. It was a colorful celebration with flavorful food, drinks and flowers. -
Set Up - Day of the Dead
Firstly, we go to the graves of those who we have lost. We do basic clean up - we pull weeds and clean up any debris. Once the graves are clean we like to decorate them. We use candles and flowers and their favorite food as offerings and we leave drinks so the dead can quench their thirst from the long journey back home. -
Set up - continued
Once the graves are decorated, the families and friends of the deceased and we have completed our visits we spend time at home and we like to set up alters. Here is where our loved ones favorite food goes, as well as their favorite drinks (it is typically customary for the drink to be an alcoholic beverage) One of the women on our street set up a community event so we can remember together. -
Day of the Dead Traditions-
We honor the dead in a colorful, festive display. we visit cemetaries, decorate loved ones grave stones, and spend time with them there. -
Halloween / all hallows eve -
Children in mexico like to dress up in costumes and go trick or treating. We always shout "we want Halloween" when the people opened their doors. We hear about stories that personify death, and we recieve paper wreaths, candy, and seasonal flowers. The tradtions start early in the mornng on October 31st. -
All Saints Day - November 1st
November 1st is All saints day. Today, we celebrate all of those who have passed on and reached heaven. As a catholic, I attend mass, and leave offerings on the loved ones graves- such as flowers or candle lights. -
All souls day - November 2nd
All souls day is used to celebrate all of those who passed on but have not reached heaven. When a person dies, they can go to three places - heaven, hell, or the purgatory. -
Our community party
One of the members of our community decided to throw a small celebration to remember - together. We celebrated and decorated with bright colored flowed (marigolds are tradition) and the adults drank to celebrate the Day of the Dead.
