It’s that time of year when the wind chill picks up. The pumpkins come out, the skeletons go up, and we welcome a bit of spookiness into our everyday lives. As we prepare for a season of delightful hauntings, we also turn to a tradition that has entered popular culture with all the color and flair it deserves, yet whose origins trace back 3,000 years to ancient Aztec celebrations that honor the dead.
Today, Día de los Muertos has elements introduced by the Spaniards in the 1500s. The observance actually begins on November 1 – All Saints Day – and continues the following day, All Souls Day. During this time, you’ll find beautiful calavera skulls, sweet breads called pan de muerto, and elaborate altars, or ofrendas, honoring departed loved ones. Day of the Dead is a chance to remember those who have passed on and to respectfully participate in an important ritual acknowledging life and death. |
