“Day of the Dead” is a popular holiday celebrated in Latin American countries and is especially popular in Mexico. This special holiday celebrates the lives of those who have passed away. There is a belief that the souls of the dead come back to visit their loved ones and are celebrated on November 1 and 2. Contrary to popular belief, the Day of the Dead is not a time of sadness or gloom, but a time of joy and celebration!
Step
Step 1. Build an altar with the favorite food and jewelry that the person liked while alive
Decorate with candles and flowers and don't forget to put a framed photo of the person you remember. Spend some time at the altar, telling fun and funny stories about the deceased. Tell me about their achievements.
- Many people choose to pray, and add a Christian cross and a statue or image of the Holy Virgin Mary on the altar.
- Get creative… This altar also honors the discontinued TV series!
Step 2. Write a calavera, which is a short, satirical poem in tombstone form for your friends
The funnier, the better. Make fun of your friends' weird habits or embarrassing moments.
Step 3. Visit the graves of your loved ones' dress up in your own way. Clean and decorate tombs with “ofrenda”, or offerings, such as orange marigold flowers called “Tagetes erecta” or “Flor de Muerto” (“Flower of Death”) which are thought to attract the souls of the dead. Put away the people's favorite jewelry and candy. For children who have passed away (“los angelitos” or little angels) bring toys; for deceased adults, bring bottles of alcoholic beverages (tequila, mescal, pulque) or atole (corn flour-based warm drink). Some people spend the whole night beside the graves of their loved ones.
Step 4. Arrange pillows and blankets in your home so that the spirits of the deceased can rest after their journey
Step 5. Make ofrenda food
Leave in front of your house to greet the dead. It is often believed that a deceased person will eat the "inner essence" of the food. You can eat the leftovers after the celebration is over!
- Mexican sugar skull, also known as calavera. It's easier to buy “ready-to-eat” sugar skulls and decorate them with colored icing. It is fun for the whole family, and especially fun to eat. The skull is dedicated to the living and the dead. To make your own sugar skull, mix 1 teaspoon of meringue powder with 1 cup of powdered sugar, then add 1 teaspoon of water, mix well, place into molds and let dry overnight.
- Candy pumpkin. Simmer pumpkin flesh with (Mexican coarse brown sugar-as a substitute, you can mix 2 teaspoons sugar syrup with each cup brown sugar), cinnamon and orange zest until smooth, then serve.
- Pan de muerto ("bread of death") is a sweet egg bun made in various shapes (round, skull, rabbit often garnished with white icing to resemble twisted bones).
- atole. Mix cup of masa or cornstarch with cup of hot water. Transfer to skillet with cinnamon sticks and seeds from one vanilla bean and stir until thickened. Mix 3-4 tablespoons of piloncillo until dissolved, then remove from heat. Add fruit puree (optional) and serve.
Step 6. Prepare a special dinner
Include one plate laid out for each person whose memory you want to honor and incorporate their favorite dish into your dinner.
Step 7. Celebrate
You remember and honor the lives of those who have died, and it's time for them to visit and spend time with you. Eat, dance, tell stories and have fun!
Step 8. Done
Tips
- Sometimes, children dress up in costumes and ask people for “calaverita” (small gifts of money) on the street. But unlike Halloween, they don't knock on doors.
- Some people wear shells and dance to make the noise "wake up" those who have died, and some people dress up as the dead.
- Usually, children who have died are remembered on November 1, while adults who have died are remembered on November 2.
- The Catrina doll (a woman in a costume with a skull face) is a decoration that is often worn.
