Recuérdame
By Veronica Cham
Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a celebration that takes place the night of Nov. 1 into Nov. 2. This day celebrates the return of loved ones into our hearts and into our homes.
This tradition began with families opening their doors on Nov. 1 at night to visit the altar placed for their loved ones that were lost in that calendar year. It started as a tremendous but familial gathering of paying respect, bringing candles, live music, coffee, tea, bread, tamales and sitting with neighbors to enjoy the surroundings.
Sofia Calzada-Orihuela describes this time as “intoxicating in a way.” What started as a rural communal tradition evolved to a citywide practice. The creators of “007” had this elaborate parade in the film, putting the festival on mainstream media. Thus, making the Day of the Dead to how it is seen now.
Although the holiday started in Mexico, it is one that transcends culture.
As Calzada-Orihuela stated, “What is more democratizing than death?...It comes for everyone.”
And individuals can identify themselves with honoring their ancestors. The altar or ofrenda is used for this honoring. An ofrenda in today’s society does not have all elements of the traditional ofrenda, even in Mexico, because the essence has been diluted. Yet, there are elements that should be in an ofrenda.
The first is light. Anything and everything that resembles light should be included on the ofrenda such as candles because the Day of the Dead is a festival of light. Marigolds are also an indicator of light as they represent the Sun. These flowers are used to guide the ancestors to you which is why a trail of petals to the altar are often made.
Similarly, incense is often burned as a symbol of the spirits ascending. It displays how the afterlife is simply life that transcends ours. If you are Christian or Catholic, then crosses are also utilized on the ofrenda.
There is often bread and fruit (usually the favorites of the lost loved one). Since the holiday has evolved so much, symbols of the food are increasingly being used. Butterflies can also be added to the ofrenda as they represent the spirits coming to visit us. It is also vital to have skulls on the ofrenda either papermade, sugar or wooden.
Also ensure to have water and salt to symbolize food and purity.
The last and arguably most important piece of the ofrenda is the picture of the lost loved one.
The altar and ofrenda are just one part of the incredibly vivid and colorful celebration.
Another appeal to the festival is that compared to other holidays of mourning or remembrance, this day is not one of sadness. This day is unique because it is a celebration of the living. The Day of the Dead is used to remember the ones that we have lost “but also make us realize that we are here and that we can honor them…reminds us of our own mortality and that's why we have to make the best while we are here together,” Calzada-Orihuela said.
Día de los Muertos is “a day that has been in progress and it is still changing and it is still evolving and that is always…a double edged sword” as Calzada-Orihuela stated. On one end, a tradition that does not evolve will eventually die out. On the other end, evolution means people forget what the tradition originally was, what it really means and the true essence of it. For the Day of the Dead, honoring our ancestors is just scratching the surface. At its core, it is a holiday of community. A celebration of togetherness. Calzada-Orihuela continued, “For some people, it truly has a heavy ancestral meaning…there are layers to the practice and we have to be respectful to those layers.” Because of that, not only must we remember the ones we have lost but we must remember those who continue to practice this ritual in its traditional context.
Comments