Thank you to all of the Sponsors, Vendors, Altar Makers, Volunteers, and Committee members who helped make LRGP's 2012 Dia de los Muertos 3rd Annual Panteon de Sacramento a SUCCESS!!!!!
Dia de los Muertos:
Día de los Muertos is a traditional Meso-American holiday dedicated to the ancestors; it honors both death and the cycle of life. In Mexico, neighbors gather in local graveyards to share food, music and fun with their families and extended community, both living and departed. In Sacramento, Día de los Muertos has been celebrated since the early 1970s, commensurate with the Galería’s founding in 1972.
This most personal of all Mexican holidays, Dia de los Muertos has become an international phenomenon in recent years, and acknowledges the belief that death is only another phase of life from which we both shrink from and celebrate. Whether in the day, or bathed in the light of the moon, upon entering Panteon de Sacramento one immediately feels that it is a place of memories and, the presence of those who have passed.
Dia de los Muertos is a very personal holiday and each family that celebrates it has their own unique traditions that they follow. It is a cathartic experience for the living as well as a time to honor and celebrate the lives of loved ones who have passed on to the afterlife. “The dead come to life in the memory of the living, who evoke their particular customs, tastes, virtues and defects (Orellana 1999:67).” Dia de los Muertos acquaints children to their ancestors as well as introduces the concept of death to children at an early age as a natural rite of passage. For adults it provides an opportunity for communal mourning. Emotions surrounding Dia de los Muertos can be somber as well as celebratory. It is a time to remember, honor and show respect to the departed. The colorful holiday serves as a reunion for the dead as well as the living.
LRGP will create a community altar for the public to place offerings. The public is invited to bring candles, photographs, bread, other foods, flowers, toys and other symbolic offerings for loved ones who have passed away.
This most personal of all Mexican holidays, Dia de los Muertos has become an international phenomenon in recent years, and acknowledges the belief that death is only another phase of life from which we both shrink from and celebrate. Whether in the day, or bathed in the light of the moon, upon entering Panteon de Sacramento one immediately feels that it is a place of memories and, the presence of those who have passed.
Dia de los Muertos is a very personal holiday and each family that celebrates it has their own unique traditions that they follow. It is a cathartic experience for the living as well as a time to honor and celebrate the lives of loved ones who have passed on to the afterlife. “The dead come to life in the memory of the living, who evoke their particular customs, tastes, virtues and defects (Orellana 1999:67).” Dia de los Muertos acquaints children to their ancestors as well as introduces the concept of death to children at an early age as a natural rite of passage. For adults it provides an opportunity for communal mourning. Emotions surrounding Dia de los Muertos can be somber as well as celebratory. It is a time to remember, honor and show respect to the departed. The colorful holiday serves as a reunion for the dead as well as the living.
LRGP will create a community altar for the public to place offerings. The public is invited to bring candles, photographs, bread, other foods, flowers, toys and other symbolic offerings for loved ones who have passed away.
Altar Offerings:
Cempazuchitl (Marigold)
Marigolds or Cempazuchitl are known as the “flowers of the dead” and the pungent scent of the flower welcome the dead home after their long journey. These bright yellow and orange flowers are traditionally used to decorate altars and to adorn graves. The flowers are used to make wreaths and the petals strewn about to create a pathway to help the dead find their way back to the homes of their relatives and loved ones.
Personal Items
Personal items of the deceased such pictures, eye glasses, books, a favorite object or instrument may also be placed upon the altar to make the spirits feel welcomed. A wash basin along with soap, water, comb, and a towel are also placed upon the altar so that the spirits can wash up after their long journey home. The personal items selected make each and every altar a unique expression of the person being honored.
Calacas
Calacas are popular skeleton figurines that are often sold in markets to decorate altars. Calacas figurines are favorites among children. “These toys are both for the dead and living children to play with. However, living children become acquainted with death by playing with them (Pomar 1995:28).” A calaca may be selected that is reminiscent of a certain profession or hobby that was
once enjoyed by the deceased. They can often be found crafted into silly caricatures of smiling
wrestlers, nurses, musicians, brides, dentists, cowboys or pilots heartily enjoying the afterlife.
Sugar Skulls
Sugar Skulls are one of the most popular symbols of El Día de los Muertos. Although, they are made of sugar they are typically not eaten. Sugar Skulls are brightly decorated with frosting, sequins and colored foil. In Mexico they can be purchased from street vendors or bakeries or simply made at home. Typically, the name of a deceased individual is placed on the forehead of the sugar skull.
Pan de Muerto
Traditional foods are made such as pan de muertos; sweet bread that is baked especially for the holiday. The dough of pan de muertos can be shaped to resemble skulls then topped with brightly colored sugar. It can also been seen shaped into mounds with “bones” made from extra dough that decorate the top. Other foods are also left on the altar such as fruits and sweets for the spirits to enjoy. Traditional dishes such as mole or tamales may especially be prepared. Extra food is also left on the altars in honor of forgotten souls.
Marigolds or Cempazuchitl are known as the “flowers of the dead” and the pungent scent of the flower welcome the dead home after their long journey. These bright yellow and orange flowers are traditionally used to decorate altars and to adorn graves. The flowers are used to make wreaths and the petals strewn about to create a pathway to help the dead find their way back to the homes of their relatives and loved ones.
Personal Items
Personal items of the deceased such pictures, eye glasses, books, a favorite object or instrument may also be placed upon the altar to make the spirits feel welcomed. A wash basin along with soap, water, comb, and a towel are also placed upon the altar so that the spirits can wash up after their long journey home. The personal items selected make each and every altar a unique expression of the person being honored.
Calacas
Calacas are popular skeleton figurines that are often sold in markets to decorate altars. Calacas figurines are favorites among children. “These toys are both for the dead and living children to play with. However, living children become acquainted with death by playing with them (Pomar 1995:28).” A calaca may be selected that is reminiscent of a certain profession or hobby that was
once enjoyed by the deceased. They can often be found crafted into silly caricatures of smiling
wrestlers, nurses, musicians, brides, dentists, cowboys or pilots heartily enjoying the afterlife.
Sugar Skulls
Sugar Skulls are one of the most popular symbols of El Día de los Muertos. Although, they are made of sugar they are typically not eaten. Sugar Skulls are brightly decorated with frosting, sequins and colored foil. In Mexico they can be purchased from street vendors or bakeries or simply made at home. Typically, the name of a deceased individual is placed on the forehead of the sugar skull.
Pan de Muerto
Traditional foods are made such as pan de muertos; sweet bread that is baked especially for the holiday. The dough of pan de muertos can be shaped to resemble skulls then topped with brightly colored sugar. It can also been seen shaped into mounds with “bones” made from extra dough that decorate the top. Other foods are also left on the altar such as fruits and sweets for the spirits to enjoy. Traditional dishes such as mole or tamales may especially be prepared. Extra food is also left on the altars in honor of forgotten souls.
Traditions of Día de los Muertos: A Way to Remember
By Christina Preston
Día de los Muertos, a traditional holiday of Mexico, occurs November 1st & 2nd of every year. This holiday occurs during the same time as the Catholic holiday of All Saints and All Souls day. However, the Mexican holiday of the Day of the Dead has very little in common with the European holiday beyond the remembrance of the deceased. The Catholic holiday is spent praying for the souls of the dead to be saved from purgatory while the Mexican holiday is spent praying to the souls of the departed (Lechuga 1991:71). During the celebration of Día de los Muertos, the living take the time to honor the dead by building altars and providing offerings to lure the souls of their loved ones home for an earthly reunion.
Upon the eve of November 1st the souls of children are honored. Los ángelitos receive special
offerings of toys, candies as well as other decadent sweets. Miniature representations of objects such as metates, tortilla presses and tools may also be crafted for the souls of the children to play with (Zugaide 1980:76). The following day and night of November 2nd is dedicated to adults. During the day the cemeteries are cleaned, tombs are repaired, scrubbed, painted and weeds are pulled. Around midday the bells of the church will begin to ring until the following morning to guide the souls home to their expectant families. In the evening the souls will be accompanied from their altars within the homes of their loved ones to the cemeteries where they will eventually begin their long journey back to the afterlife. Flower wreaths made of marigolds as well as petals are used to adorn the graves and candles are lit to guide the way. Offerings of pan de muerto, liquor, and other foods will often be brought to the cemeteries where families will hold overnight vigils alongside the graves. Throughout the night, music may be used to serenade the dead and family members will exchange stories and food until the souls of the dead are ready to depart once again.
Altars are also traditionally built within the home. The design of each altar varies from each person and also by region. However, there are many key components that can typically be found. “Elements that all arrangements have in common include the use of candles, flowers (for the most part yellow flowers like cempazuchiles), fruits, breads, and dishes that are not ordinarily cooked like tamales, or tortillas made with special blue or red corn, sweets and drinks like chocolate and pulque (Pomar 1995: 22).” The creation of an altar can become quite an elaborate affair with many families preparing weeks in advance and sparing little expense. It is common for new dishes to be purchased to accompany food offerings left upon the
altars.
“The combinations of the different aromas of these dishes, and of the waxes, the copal and fruits and flowers, suffuse the room-generally the biggest in the house-where the offerings are placed create this peculiar and pleasant smell, as apart of the ritual, is meant to satisfy the dead who are not able to eat: by their sense of smell they will be able to appreciate the richness of the family offerings (Pomar 1995: 23).” Extra candles and food may also be placed upon the altar for forgotten souls. Despite the difference between the Mexican and European holiday, objects of religious affinity such as crosses, rosaries, and figurines are also a common staple of each altar. The design and focus of each altar is heavily influenced by the creator along with the individual being honored. Each altar is a blend of indigenous and modern culture.
Upon the eve of November 1st the souls of children are honored. Los ángelitos receive special
offerings of toys, candies as well as other decadent sweets. Miniature representations of objects such as metates, tortilla presses and tools may also be crafted for the souls of the children to play with (Zugaide 1980:76). The following day and night of November 2nd is dedicated to adults. During the day the cemeteries are cleaned, tombs are repaired, scrubbed, painted and weeds are pulled. Around midday the bells of the church will begin to ring until the following morning to guide the souls home to their expectant families. In the evening the souls will be accompanied from their altars within the homes of their loved ones to the cemeteries where they will eventually begin their long journey back to the afterlife. Flower wreaths made of marigolds as well as petals are used to adorn the graves and candles are lit to guide the way. Offerings of pan de muerto, liquor, and other foods will often be brought to the cemeteries where families will hold overnight vigils alongside the graves. Throughout the night, music may be used to serenade the dead and family members will exchange stories and food until the souls of the dead are ready to depart once again.
Altars are also traditionally built within the home. The design of each altar varies from each person and also by region. However, there are many key components that can typically be found. “Elements that all arrangements have in common include the use of candles, flowers (for the most part yellow flowers like cempazuchiles), fruits, breads, and dishes that are not ordinarily cooked like tamales, or tortillas made with special blue or red corn, sweets and drinks like chocolate and pulque (Pomar 1995: 22).” The creation of an altar can become quite an elaborate affair with many families preparing weeks in advance and sparing little expense. It is common for new dishes to be purchased to accompany food offerings left upon the
altars.
“The combinations of the different aromas of these dishes, and of the waxes, the copal and fruits and flowers, suffuse the room-generally the biggest in the house-where the offerings are placed create this peculiar and pleasant smell, as apart of the ritual, is meant to satisfy the dead who are not able to eat: by their sense of smell they will be able to appreciate the richness of the family offerings (Pomar 1995: 23).” Extra candles and food may also be placed upon the altar for forgotten souls. Despite the difference between the Mexican and European holiday, objects of religious affinity such as crosses, rosaries, and figurines are also a common staple of each altar. The design and focus of each altar is heavily influenced by the creator along with the individual being honored. Each altar is a blend of indigenous and modern culture.
Dia de los Muertos Gallery
