Her Ellipses

There is an endearing holiday celebrated by many Latin American cultures called El Dia De Los Muertos or the Day of the Dead. While the name of this holiday might strike some as a bit eerie, this holiday is quite festive. The practice of this ritual originates back about 3,000 years, during the time of the Maya and Aztecs, they celebrated the memory of their ancestors by paying tribute to the goddess of death. They believed that souls did not die, but went away and could be guided home. 

This symbolically rich and colorful Latin American tradition is most prevalently celebrated in Mexico. Today, El Dia De Los Muertos is celebrated every year on November 2nd. The holiday is dedicated to ceremonializing the memory of our loved ones who have since departed from us. This commemoration is not a mournful one, but a joyous and happy celebration in which death takes a lively, friendly expression. Some of the most prominent rituals include visiting the cemetery where loved ones are laid to rest, and decorating their grave site. Alters are also created in homes which include remnants of the loved one’s favorite things. The use of bright orange Marigolds and lighted candles are often used and represent a guiding light to help the soul find it’s way home. Alters and grave sites are also packed with favorite foods and beverages, as well as photos and memorabilia of the departed. Often times, people will write “Calaveras” poetry about their loved ones, which are lighthearted and humorous stories. Sweet breads are baked and a variety of confections are made which are believed to add sweetness to the idea of death. A common symbol of the holiday is the skull or “calavera,” which symbolizes death and rebirth and often, Calaveras are adorned with humanlike features and props that serve to personify death.

The idea behind this holiday it to make death seem lighthearted and cheery and is achieved through the use of bright colors, candy, flowers, music and food. This holiday is gaining moment and often inspires artwork, literature and most recently fashion (think Mando Guerra’s Project Runway 2010 collection). A few years back, I had the luxury of traveling to Mexico city during the end of October, and I cannot begin to describe the beauty surrounding this amamzing celebration. In a culture that embraces the family bond, El Dia de los Muertos is a ceremony that fortifies that connection, and is an effort to keep the memory of family alive.

Here, is a collection of pictures, some from my trip to Mexico a few years back to help show how awesome the relics of this celebration really are.