There are countries in which death is treated with humor. Mexico is probably the brightest of them. Historically, death is seen here a little differently than in typical Europe, for example. For Mexicans, death is not the end, but the beginning. Therefore, the dead are not remembered and not mourned. Once a year they are greeted with joy on their faces. On this day, everything turns upside down: day changes with night, the city is filled with people dressed in the costumes of the dead, and the cemetery becomes the most visited place. So goes the feast of the dead in Mexico. What is the name of this action? You may have already heard this phrase: Dia de los Muertos. And now let's take a closer look at this reckless event and try to figure out what his philosophy is.
History
The feast of the dead in Mexico is rooted in the days of the Aztecs and Mayans. In the system of their beliefs, death took the form of a certain ritual, as well as resurrection. Even before the Spaniards conquered Mexico, the skulls of their deceased relatives, which were actively used in Aztec ceremonies, were stored in the houses of the Aztecs.
In the summer, the Aztecs allocated a whole month, during which a series of sacrifices was arranged. Thus, they paid tribute to the dead and the underworld in general with his mistress - the goddess Miktlansiuatl.
The first conquerors of Mexico noticed that the Aztecs taunt death in their rites. These rituals were considered sacrilegious, and sanctions were introduced against those who use them. The indigenous people of Central America were forced to convert to Catholicism, but the ancient traditions remained unchanged. The government managed to reduce the period of sacrifice and rampant ritual action to a few days. However, it could not replace people's joy with sorrow, and the skull, which is the main attribute of the festival of the dead, with a cross. What became the basis for such an event as the feast of the dead in Mexico: myth or reality is difficult to say. One thing is certain - this day brings together millions of people.
When is the holiday?
They tried to fine tune the ancient pagan holiday to the maximum under the Christian canon. Previously, it was celebrated in the 9th month of the Aztec calendar, but later moved to November 1-2. On this day, Catholics celebrate the Day of the Dead and All Saints Day. Sometimes the holiday of the dead in Mexico begins to be celebrated on October 31. Since this action has the status of a national holiday, state enterprises and schools do not work these days. The holiday is conditionally divided into the Day of Little Angels (November 1) and the Day of the Dead itself (November 2). On the first day, the deceased infants and children are revered, and on the second day, adults.
Traditions
According to Mexican beliefs, the dead do not leave forever, but continue to live in the afterlife, which is called Miktlan. Therefore, death for them is the same holiday as birth. In fact, it is birth, but in a different guise. Mexicans believe that once a year the deceased come to their homes to visit relatives, do their favorite things and feel the charm of life.
In major cities in Mexico, the Day of the Dead begins to prepare in a few months. In educational institutions and all kinds of communities they make costumes, masks and life-size puppets. Musicians prepare for performances, altars are transformed, and flower companies receive large orders.
Altar and offerings
The symbolic door between the world of the living and the dead is considered an altar made of yellow marigolds. Altars are installed everywhere so that through them the souls of the deceased can get home. In recent years, they can be found even in schools, shops, restaurants, hospitals, on central streets and in other crowded places. Marigold in this regard is often called the flower of the dead.
Various gifts are placed at the altar: candles, toys, fruits, tamale (a national dish of cornmeal) and more. Mandatory attributes are water (the dead are thirsty after long journeys) and sweet "bread of the dead."
For the holiday, women prepare their deceased relative's favorite dishes and make the bed so that he can rest. Family and friends come together to happily meet the deceased.
Skulls and Skeletons
When the festival of the dead is approaching, in Mexico everything is filled with its symbols - skulls, skeletons and coffins. On any counter you can find these attributes in the form of chocolates, figurines, key rings and other tinsel. In the windows, they are often stacked in the form of pyramids symbolizing the Aztec compasses. Tsompatl - a wall of skulls of defeated enemies, symbolizing the inextricable link between the living and the dead.
Skulls and skeletons on this holiday can be seen literally everywhere: on doors, walls, asphalt, clothes and even skin. If you receive a coffin with your name on the Day of the Dead, do not be offended - they wish you all the best with all your heart. Such gifts are given to close and dear soul people.
"Calavera Katrina"
Another interesting symbol that boasts the national holiday of the dead in Mexico. It is a skeleton dressed in rich women's outfits with a wide-brimmed hat. The phrase "Calavera Katrina" literally translates as "Skull of Katrina." Often this symbol is called the “fashionable skull”. Many locals believe that this is what the goddess of the dead looks like. But in reality, this symbol became known from the engraving of La Calavera de la Catrina in 1913, which was performed by the artist Jose Guadalupe Posad. So he wanted to illustrate that even the richest and most successful would one day be the victims of death. One way or another, the image of Katrina over time firmly entrenched in the status of one of the main symbols of such an event as the feast of the dead in Mexico. Makeup for women on this day often symbolizes the very Katrina.
Hike to the cemetery
On this holiday, in parking lots near the cemetery, it is almost impossible to find an empty spot. Entire families come here to look after the graves of relatives, strew them with bouquets of marigolds, decorate with candles, bring favorite dishes and drinks of the deceased. It also organizes picnics and dances to national music.
For Mexicans, an evening trip to the cemetery is not a sad event, but a real holiday. They meet with relatives here, have fun and just have a good time. Around each grave is an idyll: men are talking spiritually, women are laying the table, the elders are telling the younger ones funny stories from life, the children are playing, and no one is afraid of the day when death overtakes him.
Parade of the Dead
Sincere night gatherings in the cemetery are more common in small cities. In megacities, real carnivals are more often arranged. The festival of the dead in Mexico, whose photos are astonishing at the level of organization, is held on a grand scale. The city, empty during the day, with the arrival of night is filled with orchestras. Classical and folk musical instruments create a colorful atmosphere, which, according to local residents, raises the dead from the grave. At least alive, she inspires dancing until the morning.
Huge groups of people form behind strolling orchestras. Most of them dress up in colorful dresses and paraphernalia, which is famous for the festival of the dead in Mexico. Masks that can be found in public on this day, mainly personify death. But all of them, as well as souvenir skulls, are endowed with a wide, sincere smile. The procession has no clear direction and schedule. Anyone can join it. The carnival captivates the whole city, but with the dawn of November 3, it fades for a whole year.
Regional differences
Just imagine: today in some cities, Day of the Dead overshadows Christmas in its scope. However, in each of the cities the holiday is celebrated in its own way and with a different scale. For example, in the city of Oaxaca de Juarez, the main event of the day is considered to be a carnival procession. Meanwhile, in the Valley of Mexico City, most resources are spent on decorating houses and altars.
In the city of Pomuch follow the traditions of pre-Columbian times. Here, the bodies of deceased relatives are exhumed annually and cleansed of flesh. In the area of Tlahuac, ancient rural traditions are honored and magnificent celebrations are held in cemeteries. In Okotepek, sacrifices are carried out in huge numbers. And the roads from houses where people died in the last year are strewn with flower petals to the cemetery.
Halloween resemblance
The main holiday in Mexico, Day of the Dead, is held at approximately the same time as Halloween, and has a number of similarities with it. Both festivals originated in the early cultures and once, one way or another, mixed with the Christian faith. Day of the Dead, like Halloween, is based on the belief that the dead return to our world. The attributes of the holidays, completely reminiscent of death, also have common features.
However, there is a significant difference in these two events. Halloween symbolizes the fear of death. He is replete with characters with a negative reputation: witches, vampires, demons, zombies and so on. Halloween masks are worn so that evil creatures take people for their own and do no harm to them. On the Day of the Dead, the opposite is true - the dead are welcomed, and death is perceived as the birth of something new, bright and great.
Feast of the Dead in Mexico: Tattoo
Day of the Dead is so popular all over the world that even in the countries of the former CIS people get tattoos with its attributes. Most often on the body depict the very Calavera Katrina, which many consider the embodiment of the death goddess Miktlansiuatl.
Conclusion
Today we met with such an unusual holiday as the Mexican Day of the Dead. Definitely the philosophy of the Mexicans regarding death deserves attention and, at least, makes us think that perhaps our fear of death is greatly exaggerated. And the deceased, perhaps, would be much nicer to see smiles on the faces of their relatives, rather than grief.