Today is the Day of the Dead, or All Souls' Day in the Catholic calendar. In Mexico it is believed that on this day, the souls of the dead return to visit the land of the living. It is not a sad occasion, but a celebration which welcomes the return of departed loved ones.
This year the usual events for the Day of the Dead have been cancelled due to the pandemic. Even the cemeteries have been closed to the crowds of people who come to decorate the graves of their family member or, in some towns, even spend the night in a candle-lit vigil. However, across the country, families have set up their "ofrendas"... the altars placed to welcome the visiting souls.
At the home of Alejandro's family, his sister Sandra, with the assistance of her son Ezra, always arrange the "ofrenda". Alejandro sent me some photos of their "ofrenda".
The tradition of the "ofrenda" goes back to pre-Hispanic times. The Aztecs had a celebration of the dead in the summer. When the Spanish arrived they allowed this observance to continue, but the date was changed to coincide with All Souls' Day, and the "ofrendas" were required to include Catholic imagery.
You can see many of the traditional elements here on their altar. There are pictures of departed family members and also banners of "papel picado" (cut paper). The traditional flowers for the Day of the Dead are orange marigolds and red cockscomb. (Sandra made marigolds from tissue paper.) The color and the scent of the marigold are supposed to guide the souls to the altar, and the cockscomb represents the blood of Christ. The "ofrenda" also includes candles to light the journey of the souls, and and burning incense (traditionally "copal" tree resin) to dispel evil spirits. Food, including Bread of the Dead, and a glass of water are set out for the souls who are hungry and thirsty after their long trip.
I thought I knew quite a bit about the traditions of Day of the Dead, but Alejandro sent me this chart which explains that in certain parts of central Mexico (including Mexico City), the observance lasts for seven days.
On October 27th the souls of departed family pets arrive.
On October 28th the souls of those who died violently or in an accident return.
On October 29th those who died from drowning return.
On October 30th those who have no family to remember them return.
On October 31th those who are in limbo return.
On November 1st children who died before their twelfth birthday return. (That part I knew.)
On November 2nd adult family members return.
The traditions vary, however. Alejandro also sent me another version with a number of differences. For example on October 31st fruit is placed on the altar for returning ancestors which the family never had the pleasure of knowing. And on November 3rd food is set out for those poor souls who had no "ofrenda" to visit.
Most people don't know about this longer version of the observance, but Alejandro says that his mother always started lighting a candle on October 28th.
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Last night when I chatted with Alejandro on Skype, I was surprised to see that he had painted his face!
And I, on the eve of Day of the Dead, celebrated by watching once again the delightful Disney cartoon "Coco" which takes place in Mexico on the "Día de Muertos".
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