Día de los Muertos: Some Things You May Not Know

by Murry Page

1 Nov 1

mazmessenger.com

 

I am sure the vast majority of my readers know about Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). I have spent a number of celebratory evenings following the donkey cart around El Centro pushing and shoving with fellow revelers trying to get a free beer being doled out, thanks to Pacifico and the poor soul on the back of the cart. I have seen the altars and one year Linda and I even spent the last day of October visiting the city’s cemeteries watching and talking to families cleaning and painting the grave sites of their departed relatives and building alters adorned with the loved one’s favorite foods and beverages.

However, every time I read about México, its history and culture, I learn something new. And that was the case when I started reading about this annual celebration.

Everyone associates Día de los Muertos with México, which is understandable. But, the celebration probably originated some 4,000 years ago and was in the cultures of the Olmecs, Mayas, and Aztecs. All of these cultures believed in a life after death.

Their belief in the cyclical nature of life led them to celebrate death rather than fear it. “Life” did not end at death, it just moved to another plane. Día de los Muertos had its origin with this native belief. The Aztecs believed that the deceased had rather be celebrated than mourned.

So once a year, the Aztecs would hold a festival celebrating both the death of their ancestors and the queen of the underworld, Mictecacihuatl (pronounced /miktekasiuat)…[good luck]. Her role was to watch over the bones of the dead and preside over the festivals of the dead. The festival was held throughout the month of August. During this annual festival the Aztecs first honored los angelitos, the deceased children, and later those who passed away as adults.

And then came the Spaniards. Cloaked with the obligation to convert the heathens, they went about changing their celebrations, and just about everything else, to put a little Christianity in them. As we have seen from other efforts of the Spaniards, they had to compromise and Día de los Muertos was no different.

First they moved the celebration to another month, cut their festival down from a month to two days, and made those two days coincide with two Catholic celebrations; All Saints Day and All Souls day. All Saints Day is celebrated on November 1^st and honors all of the saints. All Souls Day is celebrated on November 2^nd. On this day everyone prays for the dead, but not exclusively for a person’s relatives.

The Aztecs attended mass on these two days, which made the Spaniards feel good; and the Aztecs continued with their celebration of their ancestors and Mictecacihuatl, which made them happy.

However, as with most things, the celebrations have evolved. Mictecacihuatl got a new name, Catrina. Her clothing became more ornate and colorful, and she developed the lanky skeletal female figure we all recognize. People dress themselves up as her, create dolls in her image, and paint her on many canvases. Mictecacihuatl is a big part of Day of the Dead, as she is the one who runs it all.

The Aztecs and other Meso-American civilizations kept skulls as trophies and displayed them during the ritual to honor the dead. The Spaniards quickly changed that to wooden skulls, which were placed on altars dedicated to the dead. The plethora of sugar skulls we now see began in the 17^th century when Italian missionaries came to México. Sugar art was commonly found in the Catholic churches of Italy around that time.

When the Italian missionaries got to Mexico and saw the abundance of sugar cane, brought to New Spain by the Spaniards, they continued the art form they had practiced in Italy and made little sugar angels and sheep for Easter celebrations. The indigenous people quickly picked up that art form and starting making skulls; small ones for the departed children and larger ones for the departed adults.

As the years have passed the designs of the sugar skulls have become colorful, creative, and extravagant. Every year from mid-October until the first of November, the city of Toluca, México hosts the Feria del Alfeñique (loosely translated as “Sugar Paste Fair). Hundreds of vendors spend several months preparing for this big event, making colorful sugar skulls, as well as sugar coffins and animals of all kinds. Prizes are awarded to the best skull candy, so vendors take great care in trying to outdo one another with the most beautiful decorated Mexican sugar skulls.

Miniature candy skulls are made for los angelitos and are displayed on home altars on November 1^stand then replaced with full size skulls on November 2^nd for the returning adult spirits. The names of the dead are frequently written on the forehead of the sugar skull and later eaten by a relative or friend.

In many parts of Mexico, people visit the cemetery where their loved ones are buried. Before November 1^st families will go to the cemetery where their loved ones are buried. They pull weeds and repair and paint broken statuary.

Gravesites are then decorated with candles and the cempasúchil flower; this orange marigold was the flower that the Aztecs used to remember their dead.  Its color represents the tones of earth and is used to guide the souls to their homes and altars. On November 2^nd families sit on picnic blankets next to gravesites and eat the favorite food of their loved ones.

In addition to welcoming their departed loved ones at their gravesites, ofrendas (altars) for them are created in the homes of their family members. Typically, the altars contain photographs of the dead, representations of things they liked, and items representing the four elements: candles for fire, drinks for water, fruit for earth, and fluttering tissue-paper decorations for wind. The dead take in the essence of the food, which will later be eaten by the living.

For some rural based indigenous families the Day of the Dead is a very expensive holiday for them. Many spend over two month’s income to honor their dead relatives. They believe that happy spirits will provide protection, good luck and wisdom to their families. Building ofrendas keeps the family close. It is this time of the year that the souls of the departed return to earth to visit with and to provide council or give advice to family and loved ones.

On the Day of the Dead, the focus is on celebrating with one’s family, alive and dead, and remembering those who are no longer alive. It is on seeing death as another stage following life, not something to be faced with fear.

I’m glad the meddling Spaniards did not take the focus out of Day of the Dead.

Day of the Dead Street Walk Tomorrow Night

by Maureen Dietrich

31 Oct 14  

mazmessenger.com

 

Mazatlán’s traditional “callejoneada” through the streets of Centro Historico to view altars created by residents takes place tomorrow night (Nov. 1) beginning at 8pm in the Plazuela Machado.

The theme this year, said Cultura director Raúl Rico, is “El Carnaval de los Muertos” in homage to Rigoberto Lewis who for many years designed the primary floats for Mazatlán’s annual Carnival before he died earlier this year.

After the street walk, celebrants are invited to the Centro Municipal de las Artes (CMA) and Angela Peralta Theater for free performances and art shows.

This year those wishing to see the performances at the CMA and theater must have tickets which are free (4 per family) and available tomorrow at a Cultura booth set up in the Plazuela Machado beginning at 10am. The idea, said Rico, is to regulate the influx of people by dividing them into groups by hour to avoid overcrowding. 

(from Cultura press release)

Halloween vs. Day of the Dead in Mexico

khou.com

Angela Kocherga, KHOU 11 News9:16 p.m. CDT October 27, 2014

Ciudad Juarez – Some fear the growing popularity of Halloween in Mexico will overshadow Dia de Los Muertos, a religious holiday honoring the dead.

"There's a lot of completion," said Araceli Garcia, a street vendor in the border city Ciudad Juarez.

Her stand carries both the traditional hand decorated sugar skulls and mass produced Halloween masks.

"Right now these are selling more," said Garcia pointing to a scary masks hanging over her stand. "But as Dia de los Muertos nears the skulls will do well since people put them on altars," said Garcia.

Families set up altars at home or at grave sites to honor their dearly departed. Many flock to cemeteries bringing their relatives favorite food, drink and music this time of year.

"It's supposed to be about Dia de Los Muertos not Halloween," said Garcia. She and others worry about the focus on Halloween costumes and candy in Mexico rather than the religious holiday.

Retailers on both sides of the border expect Halloween sales to top last year.

"Halloween is for kids,"said Daniel Mena, a parent in CIuad Juarez. His two boys will go trick or treating in their Mexican neighborhood but the family will also celebrate Dia de los Muertos.

Both traditons coexist on the border where families from the U.S. visit cemeteries in Mexico to pay respects to loved ones and Mexican children dressed in costumes cross over to trick or treat in U.S. neighborhoods.

While some worry Dia de los Muertos, a mix of pre-Columbian and Catholic beliefs, could be dying, others say there's nothing to fear.

"It's immortal," said Victorio de la Torre, 70, a grandfather.

He and his wife were at a market buying four handmade, colorful wreaths to lay on the graves of loved ones November 1 and 2, including two relatives who died as children.

November first is set aside to honor children and November 2nd is to remember adults who died. Catholic's mark all Saints Day November first.

"It's a very Mexican tradition and we hope those who follow also do the same," said de la Torre. He does not see Halloween as completion for Dia de los Muertos.

"Anything in this life that brings families together is important, "said de la Torre.

Celebrating Mexico's Colorful, Macabre Fiesta: Day Of The Dead

forbes.com
 Lea Lane

Festivals are among the delights of traveling, and I’ve flown to Mexico this year just to experience one of the most fascinating of them all: Dia de Los Muertos — the Day of the Dead. The darkly beautiful tradition goes on day and night, from October 31 through the first two days of November.

For the holiday, Mexican markets sell toys and candy transformed into deathly symbols such as skeletons, coffins, and La Muerta, death herself. Calaveras, cheeky poems criticizing politicians or chiding friends and family are written as if the person had already passed — a clever mockery of death, reminding us of our own mortality.

On October 31, All Hallows Eve, children create altars to entice the angelitos (the spirits of dead children) to return, and go door-to -door asking for calavaritas, sugar skulls. It’s the dark side of Halloween.

November 1, All Saints Day (also called El Día de los Angelitos), poignantly focuses on deceased children, who are believed on this day to return to life. Graves are cleaned and decorated with candles, paper streamers, and seasonal flowers such as marigolds. And on November 2, All Souls Day — the true Day of the Dead — families and loved ones gather at cemeteries to be there when the adult spirits return.

Calavarita sugar skull. They’re sometimes made with chocolate. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Celebrations include music, food, prayers and home altars adorned with photos, lighted incense, candles, flowers, and candy skulls inscribed with the names of the deceased. Altars typically include papel picado (Mexican folk art of colorful cut paper), and personal objects and favorite meals of the departed.

Lighted candles illuminate the way for the dead souls. At nightfall you can visit a cenote, or cave, where the symbol of death prowls around in a boat, candles lighting the water with the heat of faith and life, far more evocative and beautiful than any Halloween haunted house.

Paper figures in Guanajuato Market.  Mexican folk art often dwells in the macabre.  (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Ancient legends are part of the fiesta’s expression. “Catrina” is Mexico’s favorite, most adapted representation of death — the star of many Day of the Dead celebrations.

Catrinas. The really, really mean girls. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Another version of Catrina walks through the center of Mexico City (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Legends are also told about the  surprising, beautiful Xtabay, who especially scares men. And a haunting figure, La Llorona, intrigues us to discover just what causes it to live in eternal tragedy.

La Llorona,  (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

While American Halloween features candy, the Day of the Dead features regional cuisine such as tamales and mole sauce, pumpkin and fruit sweets, and the famed pan de muerto (bread of the dead).

Mexican pan de muerto.  (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Making pan de muerto in the Zocalo of Mexico City, for Day of the Dead (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The fiesta’s ending varies, depending on the region. At a Mayan ritual of darkness and fire, the shaman, surrounded by flames, gives thanks for the sacred elements of Water, Sun, Wind, Earth and Life. Villagers dance to drums beats, and the Xcalacoco community prays for harmony, promising to continue feeding the Fire of Life.

Steamroller Print Project in El Centro Begins Tomorrow

by Maureen Dietrich

16 Oct 14 

mazmessenger.com

Local print making artists invite the public to visit their open air steamroller print project beginning tomorrow through October 21 on the street between Miguel Alemán and Carnaval in El Centro from 9am to 2pm and 4pm to 8pm.

This is the third consecutive year when the artists will create large prints depicting themes of Dia de Muertos which will be hung in the Angela Peralta Theater beginning November 1 for free public viewing.

 (from Noroeste)

10 things Mexico does better than anywhere else

By Karla Villegas Gama, for CNN

Wed May 21, 2014

cnn.com

Lots of cultures do ancestor worship. But who else turns remembrance of the departed into a thrilling fiesta? Mexico welcomes home its dead on November 1, aka the Day of the Dead.

Known as Vitamin T, tacos, tortas, tamales and tostadas are part of everyday life. Mexico's streets offer endless options for fast and delicious meals cooked with super-fresh ingredients.

Cold marriages. Sweet betrayal. It comes easily to characters in telenovelas like top-rated "Lo Que La Vida Me Robo" ("What Life Stole From Me"), which has viewers sighing "Dios mio" in countries around the world.

Don't expect to impress Mexicans by knocking down manly shots all night. Real tequila is meant to be sipped and savored, like fine whiskey, which the best tequila can compete with.

Wake up, guzzle water then inhale some chilaquiles, carnitas or tacos with plenty of revitalizing grease and hot sauce and you'll be back in action by noon. OK, 1 p.m. 2 p.m. latest.

No one does Virgin Mary devotion like Mexicans, 84% of whom are Catholic. Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mexico's patron saint, is venerated at the Basilica of Guadalupe in Mexico City in an annual celebration.

He just told her he's on his way. And he is. Just as soon as the game is over. And he has a few beers with his buddies. And stops by his parents house. And updates his Facebook page. And ... wait, what was he supposed do again?

Those hilarious/spooky masks aren't just fun to look at, they're a major part of the drama. Removing one from an opponent's head is one of the greatest triumphs in lucha libre.

Most countries save their horns for special occasions. Mexico brings out the brass daily. Where else can you hear tubas (tubas!) laying down bass lines on the radio every hour of the week?

Not sure what message this biker in Mexico City is sending? Wait till he opens his mouth. Mexicans are such masters at double entendre (albur) there's an annual competition to crown a national champ.

• Day of the Dead is a Mexican tradition to honor loved ones who have passed on with art, food and communal activities
• Not all tequila is for slamming -- the best stuff can compete with a fine whiskey and should be savored
• Tacos, tortas, tamales and tostadas -- no lunch ever came quicker, or more satisfying, than one provided by Vitamin T

(CNN) -- Icy beers, empty beaches.

It's a compelling image, but it captures only a feeble percentage of the diversity and excellence that imbues one of the most incredible countries in the world.

Here are 10 things Mexico does better than anywhere else.

Celebrating death

Plenty of cultures do ancestor worship.

But who else turns the commemoration of their dearly departed into an annual fiesta of art, food and community?

On November 1, aka the Day of the Dead, Mexicans put together ofrendas (shrines) for loved ones who have passed away.

Don't worry, he's got plenty of time to change his ways. Or at least his costume. 

 

 

Every ofrenda includes pictures of the deceased, food, drinks, skull-shaped candies, candles and cempasuchil, the Aztec marigold or flower of the dead.

The belief is that souls of children come back to earth to visit family and friends on November 1 and the souls of adults do the same on November 2.

Day of the Dead festivals take place across Mexico. Three of the most elaborate are held in San Andrés Mixquic (in Tláhuac, Mexico City), Patzcuaro, Michoacán and Janitzio, Michoacán.

Horn sections

From symphony orchestras to oompah bands to soul and R&B horn sections, everyone loves a blast of brass.

Whereas most countries tend to save their horns for parties and special occasions, however, Mexico kicks out the brass jams on a daily basis.

Where else can you hear tubas -- actual tubas! -- laying down bass lines on the radio every hour of the week?

This list doesn't include pyramids and archaeological sites ... but it very well could. 

 

 

It all comes down to bandas, the heart of both traditional and popular genres of Mexican music.

Bandas are typically comprised of 10 to 20 musicians who play brass instruments, woodwinds and various percussion.

Every Mexico traveler is charmed by mariachi, but bandas are a part of several broader genres, the most characteristic being ranchera, quebradita and corridos.

Tequila

Mexico's national liquor is a worldwide bar standard, with exports to 96 countries.

But don't come to Mexico expecting to impress locals by chugging a syrupy sweet margarita or knocking down manly shots all night.

Tequila is meant to be sipped and savored, like fine whiskey, which, as any Mexican will tell you, the best tequila can compete with.

You can get a taste of the top-shelf stuff on the Tequila Trail, which includes some of the country's most renowned distilleries.

Alternates are The Tequila Express tour operated by Casa Herradura and the Jose Cuervo Express tour.

World's most reliable pick-me-up.

Curing hangovers

Mexican parties are notorious for going berserk in the blink of a bleary eye.

That, of course, leads to a familiar disaster the following morning.

Fortunately, Mexico's kitchens spring to life with the best hangover grub on the planet.

Wake up, guzzle water then inhale some spicy chilaquiles, carnitas (pork) or barbacoa (sheep) tacos with hot sauce and plenty of revitalizing grease -- maybe slam a light breakfast beer if you're in really rough shape -- and you'll be back making requests from the band by nightfall.

Double entendre (Albur)

Called "albur" in Spanish, double entendre isn't just a linguistic trick for Mexicans, it's an art form requiring a nimble mind and the ability to convey smart but subtle messages, often laced with sexual or R-rated undertones.

Many languages, of course, employ veiled connotations and witty wordplay.

But albur is so important in Mexico that there's a national tournament to crown the best alburero.

The current champ is Lourdes Ruiz, who's won the competition every year since 1997, defeating men and women. She even teaches albur courses.

Still not convinced Mexicans take double entendre more seriously than anyone else?

What other country has a day devoted to the subtle intricacies of its language?

In Mexico, Albur's Day is celebrated on March 1.

Diplomado de Albures Finos (Course of Fine/Classy Albures) classes are held at the Galería José María Velasco (Peralvillo 55, colonia Morelos, Tepito, Mexico City); free admission; participants receive a diploma.

Sure, the Vatican has some nice paintings. But Mexico is full of sweet religious art, too.

 

 

Catholicism

Vatican City does a pretty fair job as the center of the faith and it has some decent paintings on its ceiling. But its population of 800 souls isn't exactly staggering.

Mexico, by contrast, ranks second in the world for number of Catholics (Brazil is first, the Philippines third) and, according to the National Institute of Statistics and Geography of Mexico, 83.9% of the Mexicans are Catholic.

Nothing says "Mexican Catholic" like a reverence for the country's seemingly endless manifestations of the Virgin Mary.

Which may be why the priest Miguel Hidalgo carried a symbolic flag of Guadalupe when he led the opening stages of the Mexican War of Independence in 1810.

Our Lady of Guadalupe is the most venerated Virgin in Mexico, maybe the world.

The Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City is also one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Mexico, reportedly the most visited Marian shrine in the world.

Each December 12, about 5 million pilgrims from across Mexico visit the Basilica to thank the Virgin for her favors or to ask for a miracle.

Basilica of Our Lady of Gaudalupe, Plaza de las Americas 1, Col. Villa de Guadalupe, Delegación Gustavo A. Madero, Mexico City; +52 55 5118 0500

Kids love getting their daily ration of Vitamin T.

Quick lunches

Known around the country as Vitamin T, tacos, tortas, tamales and tostadas are part of the everyday life.

Mexicans are constantly on the go, so it's no wonder puestos and changarros (food stands) can be found on practically every corner.

It doesn't matter if you're in the subway, leaving school or taking a lunch break away from the office -- Mexico's streets offer endless options for a fast and delicious meal cooked right in front of you with super-fresh ingredients.

Soap operas

In 1958, Telesistema Mexicano produced "Senda Prohibida" ("Forbidden Path"), the first Mexican telenovela (soap opera).

Fifty-six years later, its successor Televisa has produced a whopping 740 telenovelas.

The formula hasn't changed much.

A man and woman fall in love but, for tragic reasons, can't be together. After overcoming obstacles they finally get married.

Fifteen years after exporting its first soap opera, "Los Ricos Tambien Lloran" ("The Rich Cry Too"), Televisa has found a rich market outside Mexico.

Of all countries that export soap operas, Mexico ships out the most, carving niches in other Spanish-speaking countries, as well as China, the Philippines, Israel and Saudi Arabia. 

Televisa isn't the only network producing successful telenovelas.

TV Azteca and Argos Comunicación also create top-notch weepers.

Ferocious and fun all at once.

 

 

Wrestling costumes

Professional wrestling (lucha libre) may be more Hollywood north of the border, and grittier in other countries, but nowhere is it as full of pathos as in Mexico.

Those hilarious/spooky masks aren't just fun to look at, they're a major part of the drama.

Removing one from an opponent's head is one of the greatest triumphs and most thrilling moments in lucha libre.

Matches are held at Arena Mexico in Mexico City on Tuesdays (7:30 p.m.), Fridays (8:30 p.m.) and Sundays (5 p.m.). Tickets can be purchased from Ticketmaster.

Polite lies

Mexicans' deep fear of appearing rude has given us a bred-in-the-bone aversion to uttering the word "no."

Instead -- and unfortunately for those unfamiliar with the rules of courtesy here -- we've developed a talent for white lies that allow us to say yes to fulfilling any request.

Even if we can't do anything about it.

White lies can be as clichéd as "the dog ate my homework" or as morbid as "my beloved great aunt has suddenly developed pancreatic cancer."

But the granddaddy of polite lies is "ahorita."

"Ahorita" literally means "right now," but it's almost never that.

When a Mexican tells you they'll do something "ahorita," be prepared to take a seat, because the wait can be long.

Think of ahorita as the Mexican art of procrastination -- it's been passed from generation to generation -- a term that can mean anything from "in 10 minutes" to "in three weeks."

Ahorita's cousin in crime is "I'm on my way."

This really means, "I'm on my way to finishing this TV show, maybe getting off the couch, calling my sister, taking a shower, grabbing a snack and actually leaving home to meet you."

You've been warned -- we're great at it!

Grand Celebration in Centro Historico on Día de Muertos

by Maureen Dietrichon 22 Oct 13
mazmessenger.com

 

A monumental celebration has been planned by the Instituto de Cultura, Turismo y Arte de Mazatlán (Cultura) in Centro Historico on the evening of November 1.
Raúl Rico, director of Cultura, explained more than 200 artists in seven different disciplines will take part in the celebrations.
Cecilia Sánchez Duarte, in charge of coordinating the evening, said there will be 13 installations in buildings in the historic center where people will be admitted 100 at a time to enjoy the displays.
In the lobbies and galleries of the Angela Peralta Theater artists will display their paintings accompanied by musicians and students from the municipal ballet school. Among three large altars at the theater will be one fashioned by local sculptor Sergio Flores.
Día de Meurtos in the Centro Historico begins at 6pm with a performance of the Faure Requiem in the Angela Peralta Theater, followed by the traditional callejoneada walk through the streets of the historic center at 8pm. Beginning 9pm music, dance and art exhibitions will be open to the public at the Municipal Center of the Arts, galleries and the theatre. (from Noroeste)

Restaurateurs in Olas Altas Plan Day of the Dead Party

Maureen Dietrichon 9 Oct 13
mazmessenger.com

 

Owners of restaurants in Olas Altas met with Mazatlán Mayor Alejandro Higuera yesterday to present their Día de Muertos Olas Altas 2013 program.

Ricardo Velarde, president of the local chapter of Canirac, told reporters there are 15 restaurants in Olas Altas. The plan is to erect two performance stages and altars along the esplanade fashioned by students of architecture and design schools.

The event is for families, young people and adults, he said, adding that at the meeting with the Mayor they had requested permission for the event on November 2 to begin at 4pm and end at 3am on November 3.

(from Noroeste)