| — | Octavio Paz (via toloveyoudevah) |
Day of the Dead, Puebla, Mexico
Photograph by Russell Gordon, Aurora Photos
There are better-known Día de los Muertos celebrations in Mexico, but spending the extended holiday (October 31-November 2) in the Puebla state capital puts you in close proximity to the elaborate Day of the Dead ofrendas (offerings) in tiny Huaquechula. Families here spend thousands of dollars erecting towering, multistory altars (typically a cardboard foundation draped in satin) adorned with wax candles, a photo of the deceased, and a sampling of his or her favorite food and drink. Hire a local guide in Puebla to make the bumpy, 35-mile ride west, and then follow the trails of marigold petals to homes where guests are welcome to pay their respects (and, perhaps, share a tequila toast to the dearly departed). Bring along a few coins or a sugar calavera, or skull—available from village vendors—to place on the ofrenda table. Back in Puebla, head to the Casa de la Cultura to view the indigenous and modern altar-building contest entries and visit with the artists.
Pictured here: Family members visit the graves of relatives on the Day of the Dead in Huaquechula, Puebla, Mexico.
The Day of the Dead celebrations in Mexico can be traced back to the indigenous cultures. Rituals celebrating the deaths of ancestors have been observed by these civilizations perhaps for as long as 2,500–3,000 years.In the pre-Hispanic era, it was common to keep skulls as trophies and display them during the rituals to symbolize death and rebirth.
These are pictures of Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead. It is traditionally a Mexican holiday that has spread to other Latin countries in the world. It focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died. Certain traditions of the holiday include building private altars honoring the deceased using sugar skulls, marigolds, and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed and visiting graves with these as gifts. Dia de los Muertos spans two days, November 1st and 2nd, in connection with the Catholic holidays All Saints Day and All Souls Day.
It is NOT Halloween, nor is it connected in any way. These traditions, such as the sugar skull makeup, are deeply rooted in Mexican history, not some “cool design” you can wear as a Halloween costume simply because skulls look scary or cool.
It’s more than makeup, it’s our culture. Respect that.
Day of the Dead, in the United States, is a severely misunderstood tradition. Día de los Muertos is a major part of the Mexican heritage and culture. It is a lively celebration of the dead, and no, it is in no way morbid. It occurs November 1st and 2nd in correlation with Catholic holidays….
There are few places left on my “checklist” for Mexico. Seeing Dia de los Muertos in Michoacán was one of the last standing until I took off a week ago for the land of the lakes. Surely just the tip of the ice-berg from what the state of Michoacán has to offer with its…
Muerteada San Agustín Etla 2011 from Citylovers Mag on Vimeo.
El Día de los Muertos se celebra en San Agustín Etla el 1 y 2 de noviembre. En este día, las familias de San Agustín Etla van a los panteones, visitan las tumbas de sus familiares, las limpian y le ponen flores,…
In our tradition, people die three deaths. The first death is when our bodies cease to function; when our hearts no longer beat of their own accord, when our gaze no longer has depth or weight, when the space we occupy slowly loses its meaning.
The second death comes when the body is lowered into the ground, returned to mother earth, out of sight.
The third death, the most definitive death, is when there is no one left alive to remember us.
| — | Victor Landa (via gratitudesofacoffeejunkie) |
Two days before the Day of the Dead festival, sex workers honour their murdered colleagues in a protest through Mexico City.
TEPITO, MEXICO’S GRIM REAPER SAINT
On November 2nd, Day of the Dead, all of Mexico visits graveyards and brings gifts like flowers, bread, and alcohol to the relatives that have passed away. But in Tepito, one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Mexico City, on the first day of every month people gather at an altar to pray to Holy Death herself.
TEPITO, MEXICO’S GRIM REAPER SAINT
On November 2nd, Day of the Dead, all of Mexico visits graveyards and brings gifts like flowers, bread, and alcohol to the relatives that have passed away. But in Tepito, one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Mexico City, on the first day of every month people gather at an altar to pray to Holy Death herself.
| — | Day of the Death. (via factory-photo-fever) |
I was supposed to post this yesterday, but couldnt because I have flu, so here it is.
Dia de Muertos or Dia de los Muertos is one of the most beautiful mexican traditions dating back to prehispanic times where the dead are honored on the date of November 2 …
Mictecacíhuatl:-
Also known as “Dama de la Muerte.” She was queen of Mictlán, the 9th and final level of the underworld. She was believed to have been born, then sacrificed as an infant. Her job was to watch over the bones of the deceased. The Aztecs worshipped her as a goddess and, when their celebrations collided with Spanish traditions, the modern day festival Díá de los Muertos was born.
