Mexico has a festive and colorful way of remembering the dead. With elaborate make-up and costumes, you’d surely want to fly to Mexico and honor your dead loved ones there instead!
Day of the Dead, or Dia de Muertos is a unique holiday celebrated in central and southern Mexico during the chilly days of November 1 and 2. Even though this coincides with the Catholic holiday All Soul's and All Saint’s Day, the Mexican indigenous people have combined that with their own ancient beliefs of honoring their deceased loved ones.
They believe that the gates of heaven are opened at midnight on October 31, and the spirits of all deceased children (angelitos) are allowed to reunite with their families for 24 hours. On November 2, the spirits of the adults come down to enjoy the festivities that are prepared for them.
Just like the Philippines, Mexico honors their dead with candles, prayers, masses, and a visit to the cemetery. But our holidays are a bit more solemn than theirs, since Mexicans celebrate the Day of the Dead with music, colorful costumes, parades, and sweet skull candies!
Sugar skull candies or calaveras are common gifts for children and decoration for Dia de Muertos. Skull candies are a Mexican child’s paradise as they could only purchase the sweet confection once a year.
Sugar coffins are also available during the days. Some can be eaten, and some are just toys intended to delight the returning spirits of children. Pull the string and a smiling skeleton pops out of his coffin!
There are a lot of delightful things to discover in Mexico’s Day of the Dead. If you want to get more sense of their Halloween holiday, check out the video below explaining how it is celebrated.
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Do you think we should be more festive in our own All Saint’s/All Soul’s Day holiday celebrations? Or do you think a neighborhood trick or treat is a bad idea for the Philippines? Let us know in the comments below.
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