Halloween may have passed, but for Flanders resident Paola Zuniga, the celebration is far from over. The first few days of November commemorate the thousands-year old tradition of El Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, a time where Zuniga’s house fills with the smell of incense and a colorful altar decorated with skulls, pictures, flowers, candles and tequila is proudly displayed in her living room, and blends with the candy, pumpkins and costumes from the days prior.
Zuniga said that the celebration can last up to a week and although is not related to Halloween, there is a common theme of unity and getting together. The main purpose is to honor and remember the loved ones who have passed away and teach the children about their ancestors said Zuniga.
“During these few days we wait for our dead. This is a ritual that celebrates life by honoring the ones that are not here with us anymore,” Zuniga said.
This year carries a special significance for Zuniga. Her uncle, with whom she vas very close, was killed recently in Mexico. She says that this loss was very hard for her and her family and El Dia de los Muertos is a way for her to feel connected to him once again.
“I was completely devastated. Being so far away, it has been hard,” said Zuniga. “This is why it’s so important to me to celebrate it, it’s a way to say goodbye to him and to feel closure.”
Her 10-year-old son Allan Potrero-Zuniga said that when he saw his mom crying for the loss of her uncle he wanted for el Dia de los Muertos to come so she could feel at peace once again.
“I told her not to cry because he was going to visit her again,” Allan said. “This tradition is important to us because we believe we can connect with grandpa and with uncle, and when we give them treats we are honoring them,” he said.
Zuniga, who came to the U.S. as a young girl, said that for her it is specially important to keep celebrating these tradition now that she’s so far from her native Puebla, a central region in Mexico, and to teach her U.S.-born children about honoring the family members that came before them, as well as the importance of keeping cultural traditions alive.
“We have to be proud of our indigenous culture and not feel ashamed,” Zuniga said. “Teach our children where we come from, not to lose our traditions and show them beauty that can be found in our culture,” she said.
In Mexico, Zuniga said the tradition is to invite people over and talk about the dead relatives and friends, celebrate their lives and think about the legacy they left. In addition to the distinctive copal incense, families of Mexican descent decorate the houses with a uniquely orange, densely petaled flower called flower of the dead or “cempaxóchitl” and drink tequila or mezcal, she said.
“Food, drink, all these are offerings that are important,” she said.
A tradition that dates back 3,000 years to the Aztecs, it was later adopted by the Spanish conquistadors. Initially the celebration was done during the summer months but the Spanish moved it to a Nov. 1 and 2 observance to coincide with All Saints’ or All Souls’ Day, a time when Catholics pray for the souls of departed relatives.
One of the most emblematic symbols in the Día de Muertos celebration is that of skulls. Edible skulls are made out of sugar and decorated for children or put as offerings in the altars. Perhaps the most famous skull of all is La Catrina, a woman that is finely dressed and that is the representation of Death itself.
“The image of La Catrina was made famous by painters in Mexico at the beginning of the 20th century, but it’s much older,” said Zuniga.
Nowadays, the white makeup and distinctive Catrina makeup can be found replicated everywhere, but Zuniga said that is important to remember that it is not a costume, but a part of the Dia de los Muertos celebration that looks to honor the dead.On Nov. 2, the day the tradition says the dead leave once again, people visit the cemeteries, clean the tombstones, bring food and drink and light candles to say goodbye. At home, people make bread of the dead or “pan de muerto,” which is also shared during the several days of the celebration. This is a special dough with an anise-like flavor that Zuniga said her grandmother made while she “called” the souls of dead relatives so they come to “visit.” Today the home baking part has been lost for the most part, but the bread is sold locally at Central American bakeries and the spirit of communion with those who have gone remains.
“I remember my abuelita making the bread and telling us what each little bone made out of bread meant, it was like a story,” she said.
“One day when I grow older I will teach my children about El Dia de los Muertos and how to do this. It’s important,” said Allan.
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