A “Dia de los Muertos”, or Day of the Dead, is a Mexican holiday that celebrates those who have passed on. While this event is typically celebrated in connection with Catholic saints like All Saints and All Souls days, it can also include honoring ancestors from various other cultures.
When is Day of the Dead?
The Day of the Dead celebrations start on October 31st and last until November 2nd to commemorate the dead and celebrate life. These celebrations resemble more of a carnival than a somber affair as people dress up in costumes, play music and eat traditional foods for these festivities. Traditions such as building altars for visiting their loved ones’ living descendants are popular during this time period as well. In other parts of the world, the Day of the Dead is a memory of death rather than a celebration. The lives of those who pass on are remembered and honored as individuals so that no one is forgotten.
How is Day of the Dead Celebrated?
The traditional costume for this festival, or more appropriately death mask, is a skull cap which can also be worn by children. For the adults, decorative day of the dead masks with terrifying features like grinning faces and twisting eyeballs are worn during this time period. Sounds are often heard playing in the doors and windows of homes in Mexico as well as at cemeteries where families visit their loved ones’ graves during these dates.
Celebrating Day of the Dead in Mexico
People in Mexico and beyond who are celebrating this festive event display their love for the deceased under the guise of fun. While some families hold private celebrations with food and songs, others like to go to cemeteries and build altars in honor of those who have passed on. Live music is often played at these events, which includes musicians playing guitars, mariachi bands playing traditional tunes as well as Spanish-language singers. People also visit mausoleums including headstones that feature family portraits of loved ones who have died.
Celebration In The U.S.
In the U.S., Day of the Dead is celebrated in many parts of the country, including Texas, Louisiana, Florida and some areas of California and New Mexico. Here are some great Day of the Dead costumes that you might consider wearing if you’re planning on attending a costume party or Halloween party this year.
Day of the Dead Foods
The food eaten during the celebration is also particularly festive. There are three main dishes that are prepared for the occasion. First, bread dough is cut into the form of a skull or bones and then cooked in an oven. Then sweet atole is consumed on November 1st. The atole is made with water and some piloncillo (unrefined brown sugar). A very popular drink that’s consumed during this time of year is also prepared, called calavera, which is made with tequila, watermelon and chamoy (a salty fruit sauce). Chamoy’s flavor has been described as a combination of ketchup and salsa.
Day of the Dead Costumes and Masks
The Costumes and Masks for a Day of the Dead Celebration
Costumes are a mainstay in Mexican culture as many people dress up for special occasions like Christmas and Halloween. But the Day of the Dead is an event that calls for wearing outrageous party-like masks and outfits on all who attend.
In a land where masks are a popular fixture in clothing, it is no surprise that people wear them to these festivals. For men, large horn-like headdress as well as skull capes covered with colorful paper flowers are common. The skull masks also appear on costumes worn by women in Mexico which often have flower-decorated fans or shawls for dancing.
For children, a simpler version of the mask is worn which includes plastic skulls in assorted colors. These costumes can be purchased at local costume shops or arts and crafts markets throughout Mexico and beyond. You can also buy them online on Amazon.