The Mexican holiday Dia de los Muertos, which is traditionally celebrated on November 1 and November 2nd, has roots in Indigenous culture. During these two days, the spirits of the dead have a brief window of time when they can visit their living relatives. It's an ode to the afterlife and a reminder that death is nothing to be afraid of.
At the beginning of November, Mexican members of our MAELS community like 6th grader Angelina Fuentes gather with friends and family to honor deceased loved ones. ”On this holiday, the Mexican people remember and honor their deceased loved ones,” shared Angelina of Crew 6B. “People visit cemeteries, decorate the graves and spend time there in the presence of their deceased friends and family members. They also make elaborately decorated ofrendas (or altars) in their homes to welcome the spirits.”
In the mortal world, people build elaborate ofrendas, to honor the memories of their loved ones. The ofrendas usually includes photos of deceased loved ones, candles, bright orange marigolds, pan de muerto, sugar skulls, and some favorite things of the dead such as foods, drinks or toys for children.
Leslie from Crew 7F also shared that families set up ofrendas or altars with pictures of the deceased. “We put everything our loved ones loved to eat or do when they were alive,” said Leslie. “We also make a cross and path from our door to the altar using marigold flowers that help guide them to us.”
For Valery of Crew 8H, Dia de los Muertos “is a time to celebrate and be happy. It is a time for our loved ones to come and visit even if we can’t see them.”
For Angelina of Crew 6B, Dia de los Muertos helps her feel more connected to her grandparents who have passed on. “My grandfather passed away because he got really sick from COVID-19,” shared Angelina. “I also lost my great grandfather who was also very sick. I promised him that I would visit him but I couldn’t anymore because of the pandemic. Being able to celebrate Dia de los Muertos reminds me that even though they’re not with us physically, their spirits will come home to us each year.”
For Evelyn of Crew 8F, her family leaves the front door open at 12pm so that the spirit of her loved ones can return to the home. “We make sure we have all of their favorite things at the altar so they can enjoy it,” says Evelyn. “I feel sad because I am reminded that they are no longer here with us but at the same time, I feel such pride to honor our family in such a way. It feels good to know that my family is here with us, even in spirit.”
Lisa, a parent of Crew 7I recalls special traditions that she shares with her family. “One special tradition we have is we bake a special bread called Pan de Muerte,” says Lisa. “We always bake this bread in our family and this year is the first year we have made an ofrenda. My husband’s family in Mexico does it each year but this is our first time making one here.”
Around the world, people attend parades to celebrate Dia de los Muertos. When asked about the best parts of this holiday, many of the students expressed that it was being able to spend this special time with family and friends. However, MAELS students and their families have different ways of celebrating this special occasion.
“One year, my family came over on Halloween and we made the Pan de Muertos together,” shared Valeria of Crew 7F. “We made the bread into little dolls and added decorations on them and put them on our ofrenda. We also made Rompope and Colada Morado!”
Rompope is a delicious eggnog-like drink made with eggs, milk and vanilla flavouring. Besides the holidays, locals drink rompope on family celebrations, and in addition to being a beverage, rompope is included in desserts, or used as a topping.
Colada Morado is a purple and thick liquid that is prepared with typical fruits of Ecuador, spices and corn flour. This drink is traditionally consumed on Dia de los Muertos with the t'anta wawa (bread usually of non-ordinary flavor and various fillings that has the shape of a doll, hence the name ) which are representations of the dead wrapped in a blanket. Colada Morado can be traced back to the Indigenous people from the Ecuadorian mountain range who celebrated the rainy season and in turn worshipped their relatives who have passed. Colada Morada is a symbol of a happy journey from life to death.
Laura of Crew 8J shared that her family cooks a lot of food, listens to great music and always has a great time together. “In my family we don't decorate anything inside for Dia de los Muertos but we always make a lot of Peruvian food for my family members who come to my house. One of the best parts of Dia de los Muertos is that I get to see my cousin, who I can be myself around.”
For the Mexican people, the beginning of November revolves around the theme of love and the celebration of life. It is not meant to be a somber event but celebratory. Those who celebrate Dia de los Muertos view death as a welcomed part of life and are represented with bright colors, smiles and love. To the members of our MAELS family who celebrate this holiday, Feliz día de los Muertos!
Written by Michelle Ng, Director of Equity