The Day of the Dead
Posted on October 23, 2017
While partaking in your traditional Halloween festivities this weekend, you may consider picking up some new ones. Every year Mexico celebrates Dia de los Muertos, a.k.a. the Day of the Dead. This holiday takes place on November 1st of every year and extends through November 2nd and is all about honoring ones we love who have died. The first day is for remembering children and infants who have died and the second is for the adults.
Although we spend Halloween embracing the scarier things in life, those who celebrate the Day of the Dead spend it not only remembering their loved ones, but by celebrating them and creating joy in their honor.
Over time, the Day of the Dead has become well known and widely celebrated. Traditionally, families would visit the grave of their loved one and leave items that belonged to the person in life. They would continue their celebration by enjoying the person’s favorite foods. Similar to traditions of this Mexican holiday, many people visit their families’ graves to maintain their appearance and leave flowers, and honor their memory.
Don’t worry though, in the spirit of Halloween there is a dark side to every story. As the tradition foes, if a family does not go back to the graves of their loved ones, then the spirits of the deceased will haunt them. Even if a family doesn’t neglect the grave but simply leaves too little or builds no alter honoring them, they could still be in danger of hauntings. Some say that death may even come to those who neglect the deceased. So this Halloween you may consider not only getting crazy amounts of candy, but also fulfilling your duty to those who have passed…or else.
