Happy Day of the Dead

That Little Voice 

You hear the footsteps of those who have gone before returning for a brief visit.

They are guided to this annual reunion by the fragrance of the gold, yellow, and red-gold Marigolds lining the streets and gracing altars (ofrendas or offerings) in homes in every Mexican village, city, colonia, and outpost.

These dead ancestors are greeted by family and friends who remember them, their favorite foods and drinks, recalling stories about their lives, their deeds, their loves, their accomplishments, and their mishaps.

Today is the first day of Day of the Dead. (Dia de los Muertos), a joyful and love-filled holiday when the poor, the wealthy, the humble, the powerful, the young, and the old travel to local cemeteries and churches, lighting candles, assembling altars, arranging flowers, laughing, crying, reminiscing and celebrating the lives of loved ones who have passed.

It is hard to write about Day of the Dead without commenting on the colors, the aromas, the noise, the music, the laughter, the skeletons, the costumes, the decorations, and the sense of happiness filling the streets and homes.

And yet, in many of the cemeteries, family members sit quietly around the altars they have decorated to honor their ancestors, sharing food and stories. As night time falls, gravesites come alive with lighted candles, soft music, the smells of meals their loved ones enjoyed, and their soft voices floating across the graveyard welcoming the spirits home.

Day of the Dead is two days of celebrating beginning on the evening of October 31 with Halloween and ending on the evening of November 2. November 1 (Dia de los Angelitos) honors the souls of children, the “little angels”, and November 2 (All Souls Day) is the actual day of the dead when all souls will arrive for their reunion.

Parades are held, skeleton costumes are worn, faces painted, intricate and simple altars outline streets, and traditional meals are prepared to welcome those souls returning to their loved ones. This is a special time, a unique opportunity, for the living to honor ancestors who have contributed to their communities and their families.

Mexicans believe the ‘gates to the realm of death’ open, and the souls of the deceased can return to visit and celebrate on the Day of the Dead. This is not a new ritual or holiday. Day of the Dead ceremonies have been traced to pre-Columbian Mesoamerica.

I encourage you to decorate your altar with multiple candles, Marigolds, pictures, food, drinks, sweets, more pictures, favored objects and reminders of the deceased, and celebrate those loved ones’ as they venture back to celebrate with you. Happy Day of the Dead.