El Dias de los Muertos-The Days of the Dead
The other day I had read in the newspaper that the altars for the Days of the Dead were to be judged at 10 AM this morning. I wanted to see the altars so we went uptown to where they were supposed to be set up. Nothing, so I went and bought a newspaper from a vendor and proceeded to read the front page article. The article stated that they were to be set up on a different street and not until the evening, I was not familiar with the name of the street so we asked a fellow who was painting his boat where this street was. He explained to us and we headed in that direction, with a stopover in the plaza to sit and enjoy the shade for awhile.
We easily found the street and found that the only decorations that were up were a couple on the street corners. Some ladies were beginning to work on their altar; but that was it. They were setting some paintings up in one courtyard, so we asked if we could come in and look and were given permission. The artists style was similar to Frida Kahlo. We looked at what was set up and as we prepared to leave, the lady told us that there would be a bigger display this evening and that we should return later. I have also read that they celebrate the lives of the children on the 1st and the adults on the 2nd.
Some of the street decorations.
We easily found the street and found that the only decorations that were up were a couple on the street corners. Some ladies were beginning to work on their altar; but that was it. They were setting some paintings up in one courtyard, so we asked if we could come in and look and were given permission. The artists style was similar to Frida Kahlo. We looked at what was set up and as we prepared to leave, the lady told us that there would be a bigger display this evening and that we should return later. I have also read that they celebrate the lives of the children on the 1st and the adults on the 2nd.
Some of the street decorations.
I read an article in the newspaper the other day, that described and explained the altars. I will try and put some of it here. The article was in the El Vigia
newspaper on October 31, 2007. The altar photo is also from there.
Altars are prepared in advance for the Day of the Dead, and include food/drink that were enjoyed by the deceased person.
A traditional altar should consist of 3 levels. The first level represents heaven and this is where the pictures of the saints are placed. The second level represents "limbo" the state of "natural happiness" after death that is neither heaven nor hell, this is where the dead persons photo is placed. The third level is the land and this is where all of the offerings are placed and the things the dead person enjoyed in life.
In the room there should be an arch which symbolizes the permission of San Pedro for the souls to enter and leave paradise.
In front of the altar should be a path of yellow marigold petals to guide the dead.
Things to be placed are: photos, salt, water, candles, food, marigold flowers, velvet, cut paper, figures of skulls, clay pots, incense, sugar skulls with the dead persons name on them and personal items that they enjoyed during life.
The food should be placed in clay pots like the ancestors used. The dead persons spirit gets the flavor of the food and is satisfied.
Candles symbolize the light against the darkness of death.
Papel Picado- (cut paper) is cut with images of death in different forms, orange color is the ancient color of mourning and purple is the color of mourning for the Catholic church.
Incense is put at the doorway to guide the spirits.
Pan del Muerto (bread of the dead) sometimes has round dough balls on it to symbolize tears and sometimes dough pieces which look like bones.
When everything is ready the family sits around the altar to await the visitors. Afterwards a feast is held to celebrate the reunions. The candles are blown out, goodbyes are said with wishes for a safe journey and asking for them to return next year.
The food from the altar can be eaten; but it is said not to taste very good as the dead persons spirit has taken away the essence of it.
Day of the Dead begins on November 1st and coincides with the Catholic observance of All Saints Day on the 2nd of November.
