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All Souls' Day |
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All Souls' Day (Los Fieles Difuntos), also know as Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos), is the last of the three (3) days honoring the beloved departed here in Mexico. This third day of celebrating the life of departed loved ones falls every year on November 2nd. Contrary to what you might think, All Souls' Day is not a day to be scared, but a most festive occasion here in Mexico with parties, dancing, singing and even fireworks.
When the Spanish conquistadors landed in what is now Mexico over 500 years ago, they encountered natives practicing a ritual that seemed to mock death. It was a ritual the indigenous people had been practicing for more than 3,000 years and try though they might, the Spaniards were unsuccessfully in eradicating this popular celebration of the departed loved one's life. Today people don wooden skull masks called "cacaos" and dance in honor of their deceased relatives. The wooden skulls are also placed on altars that are dedicated to the dead. A relative or a friend may munch on sugar skulls, made with the names of the dead person on the forehead.
These modern traditions can be traced back to the Aztecs and other Meso-American civilizations, which kept skulls as trophies and displayed them during the ritual. The skulls were used to symbolize death and rebirth, as well as to honor the dead, whom the Aztecs believed came back to visit during the month-long rites. Unlike the Spaniards, who viewed death as the end of life, the natives viewed it as the continuation of life. Instead of fearing death, they embraced it. To them, life was a dream and only in death did they become truly awake.
The Spanish conquerors considered these customs to be sacrilegious and perceived the indigenous people to be barbaric and pagan. But like the old Aztec spirits, the ritual refused to die. To make the custom more Christian, the Spaniards moved the dates so that it coincided with the All Saints' Day and All Souls' day which their predominately Catholic country celebrated on November 1st and November 2nd, as is celebrated today.
Originally it fell on the ninth month of the Aztec solar calendar, which is approximately the beginning of August, and was celebrated for the entire month. Festivities were presided over by the goddess Mictecacihuatl. This goddess, know as "Lady of the Dead," was believed to have died at birth. Now some 3,000 years later, families in Mexico and even some parts of the United States erect altars in their homes, dedicating them to their dead. They surround the site with special flowers, foods, photos, lighted candles and sometimes glasses of holy water from the neighborhood Catholic Church.
Today many markets and shops throughout Mexico sell toys and candy in the form of macabre symbols such as skeletons, coffins, and the personification of death (La Muerta) as All Souls' Day approaches. Candles, paper wreaths and seasonal flowers are also sold. Families will host special gatherings at cemeteries to honor their departed loved ones. The cemetery grave sites are decorated with candles, wreaths, floral arrangements, and colorful paper streamers. Events over these days include parties featuring a variety of popular Mexican dishes and drinks. You will also find altars set up in homes to honor dead relatives. These are adorned with food and drinks (ofrendas), photos, candles, flowers, and candy skulls inscribed with the name of the deceased. Incense sticks are lit to help the departed find their way.
So if you are visiting the island over these three (3) days, October 31st and November 1st and 2nd, please get out and experience many of these ancient traditions. The Cozumel Museum during the month of October sets up a special exhibit on the 2nd floor which we recommend you visit and near the end of October, you can attend a special viewing of children's altars that are setup in the Palacio Building! This is a time to celebrate the life of departed loved ones and we hope you enjoy how the Mexican people celebrate and honor their deceased family and friends!
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Copyright 2000 - 2024 Sherri Davis, All Rights Reserved. Contributors retain the copyright to their work. Please do not take art or written content without permission. Other graphics and reference materials are used and attributed as per the Fair Use Provision of The Copyright Act and individual terms of use.
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