Tuesday, November 2, 2010

A Day of Remembrance

Some years ago (many actually!) I spent 6 months in Mexico at an student exchange and got the enjoy one of the best celebration called Dia De Los Muertos or the Day of the Dead. I was mesmerized by the originality and creativity behind all the artifacts made to celebrate such a day.

 Aren't these little skeletons the cutest thing even though their a bit creepy (Image Credit)

The tradition is celebrated in many Latin countries but the most colorful celebration is in Mexico. The celebration revolves around family and friends getting together to commemorate those who have passed away.

Altar that includes the traditional cempazuchitl or the flower of the dead... (Image Credit)

The celebration includes building an altar for the dead either at one's home or business that includes some of their belongings like jewelry or small artifacts along with their pictures, favorite foods and anything that they might have liked in life. The altar is also decorated with candles or veladoras, sugar skulls, religious imagery and the traditional marigold along with other colorful flowers.

Boats with "calaveras" (skeletons) on the Lago de Patzcuaro (Image Credit)

The most famous place for the celebration is at the Lago de Patzcuaro where boats lit with candles and decorated make a procession towards the island sitting at the middle of the lake. All around the lake the local people built large altars to pray for the souls of the dead and remember the good times with them.

Altar built on a town surrounding the lake (Image Credit)

Unlike many other places in Mexico death is celebrated instead of mourned especially on a day like this and it's not considered either morbid or creepy because they are remembering their loved ones.

Have a great day and remember to celebrate life!!!

17 comments:

  1. Fabulous photos! And seriously, let's all celebrate life and those we love. I love this Mexican tradition.

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  2. This seems like such a great celebration! Love the pics too :)

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  3. Soo cool!! I always loved learning about this in spanish class.

    and yea, I'm only raising my budget this once since I make more money, don't worry, hehe.
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  4. Wow how interesting. I had no idea! Thanks for sharing. I think it is a fabulous thing to do.

    To remember with fondness rather than sadness xox

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  5. Oh my golly! This Day of the Dead celebration is really impressive! I went to a little one this weekend for the first time and it was lovely to see what care and attention people put into their displays and offerings.

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  6. What a great tradition!!And it take the spookiness away from it because they are honoring their loved ones! Thanks for sharing a glimpse of "Halloween" in another part of the world!

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  7. Great photos! My big sis is a Spanish teacher and celebrates this with her classes every year.

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  8. OK, these displays put my little figures to shame. I love them though! xx

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  9. How beautiful! I'll definitely be thinking of my loved ones up in heaven today!

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  10. This is a ceremony I really wished was celebrated in more parts of the world! My Spanish teacher in high school used to mark this day in class, and would share with us all her wonderful photos and stories. Ever since, I've loved seeing and hearing about this day each year! Beautiful pix and so awesome you got to spend time there.

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  11. That is perhaps the best explanation of Dia de los Muertos I've ever heard! As much as I love Halloween, I almost prefer Dia de los Muertos-it's such a beautiful celebration!

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  12. I'm very jealous that you got to experience that time, that is something that I would love to do! I love mexico.

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  13. I love this celebration - it makes a lot of sense compared to Halloween :)
    That's awesome you did an exchange program - what an incredible experience I'm sure!

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  14. these photos are so gorgeous. thats so incredible you got to spend time there and experience it first hand.

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  15. We would always celebrate el dia de los muertos in my Spanish classes in high school. I always thought it was such a weird concept, yet so interesting. I love all of the bright colors mixed with skulls!

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  16. Your blog is beautiful! So many amazing images :-)

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