Texan Magazine
A UNESCO Recognized Cultural Event
By Lisa Dante
Traditionally celebrated on October 31st or November 1st and 2nd, the Day Of The Dead is largely seen as having a festive characteristic. The multi-day holiday involves family and friends gathering to pay respects and remember friends and family who have died.
Traditions connected with the holiday in Mexico include honoring the deceased using calaveras (sugar skulls) and marigold flowers known as cempazúchitl , building home alters called ofrendas with the favorite food and beverages of the departed, and visiting graves with these items. Pan de Muerto, a special sugar-coated bread is often included in the celebration.
But today, the increasingly very popular celebration in the United States is not solely focused on the dead. Many participants see it as a celebration of life with families and friends and it is not limited to your cultural heritage.
In fact, in 2008, the tradition was inscribed in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Of Humanity by UNESCO. What does that mouthful mean? Well, according to UNESCO, “This designation helps demonstrate the diversity of cultural heritage and raise awareness about its importance.”
As far as the origin of the celebration, it widely depends on which historical pathway you choose to research. Views differ on whether the festivity has indigenous pre-Hispanic roots, or whether it is a more modern adaptation of an existing European tradition, and then there is All Souls’ Day, observed by Christians on November 2nd. According to the History Channel, Día de los Muertos is a blend of Mesoamerican ritual, European religion and Spanish culture.
Symbolic Modern Day Celebrations
Images related to Day Of The Dead include skulls and skeletons. Inspired by the 2015 James Bond movie Spectre, which featured a large Day Of The Dead parade, Mexico City held its first-ever parade for the holiday in 2016. In 2017, a number of major U.S. cities, including Chicago, Los Angeles, San Antonio and Fort Lauderdale, held Day Of The Dead parades. That November, Disney and Pixar released the blockbuster animated hit Coco, a $175 million homage to the Mexican tradition in which a young boy is transported to the Land of the Dead and meets up with his long-lost ancestors. In recent years, the tradition has developed even more due to its visibility in pop culture and the scale of Day Of The Dead celebrations continue to evolve.
By the way, is it ok to wish someone Happy Day Of The Dead?
Yes! You can say, “Feliz Día de los Muertos.”
There are many events and parades planned around the state of Texas to celebrate this cultural tradition. National Geographic once named San Antonio’s Day Of The Dead celebration as one the best fall festivals in the country! If you want to check it out, San Antonio will come alive with the vibrant celebration, October 25-27 at the historic La Villita.
Celebrate and remember the lives and spirits of your loved ones!
