All Saints' Day in Mexico, coincides with the first day of the Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos) celebration. Known as "Día de los Inocentes" (Day of the Innocents), it honors deceased children and infants.
But first, a word from our sponsor.
As you can see by Itzl's concerned look, this group is for us to check in at to let people know we are alive, doing OK, and not affected by such things as heat, blizzards, floods, wild fires, hurricanes, tornadoes, power outages, earthquakes, or other such things that could keep us off DKos. It's also so we can find other Kossacks nearby for in-person checks when other methods of communication fail - a buddy system. Members come here to check in. If you're not here, or anywhere else on DKos, and there are adverse conditions in your area (floods, heatwaves, hurricanes, earthquakes etc.), we and your buddy are going to check up on you. If you are going to be away from your computer for a day or a week, let us know here. We care!
IAN is a great group to join, and a good place to learn to write diaries. Drop one of us a PM to be added to the Itzl Alert Network anytime! We all share the publishing duties, and we welcome everyone who reads IAN to write diaries for the group! Every member is an editor, so anyone can take a turn when they have something to say, photos and music to share, a cause to promote or news!
Ok, we do have a diary schedule. But, when you are ready to write that diary, either post in thread or send FloridaSNMOM a Kosmail with the date. If you need someone to fill in, ditto. FloridaSNMOM is here on and off through the day usually from around 9:30 or 10 am eastern to around 11 pm eastern.
Monday:
BadKitties
Tuesday:
ejoanna
Wednesday:
Caedy
Thursday:
art ah zen
Friday:
FloridaSNMOM
Saturday:
Most Awesome Nana
Sunday:
loggersbrat
Halloween weekend celebrations in Mexico are distinctly different from those in the US. Día de los Muertos, which begins at midnight on October 31 and continues until Nov. 2, has its origins in the Aztec culture. During the summer a celebration was overseen by the goddess Mictecacihuatl, the Lady of the Dead. After the Aztecs were conquered by Spain, the customs became part of the Christian commemoration of All Saints' Day on Nov. 1.
Families go to cemeteries to fix up the graves of their departed relatives, where they have a meal and keep an all night vigil. They also build elaborate altars in their homes to welcome the spirits of departed loved ones.
|
The celebrations also include traditional foods such as pan de muerto (bread of the dead), which can conceal a miniature skeleton. And, of course, everyone's favorite - candy skulls.
|
Everywhere and everything is decorated with marigolds, the Madonna's flower.
|
A few Spanish terms used in connection with the Day of the Dead:
los angelitos — literally, little angels; young children whose spirits return
la calaca — a skeleton figure representing death, similar to the Grim Reaper
la calavera — skull
el difunto — the departed
la ofrenda — an offering left for the souls of the dead
zempasúchitl — the traditional name for the yellow marigolds used to mark a pathway to the altar
Que Dios te sonría y darle salud y felicidad.
Spanish Culture
Wiki
Pan de Muerto recipe
Day of the Dead altars