By Misael Gomez, Sports Editor
Dia de los Muertos, also referred to as Day of the Dead in English, is one of the most important days in Mexican and Hispanic culture. The holiday functions as a celebration and works to somewhat immortalize family members who have come and gone. Multiple traditions have sparked from this special day, such as different entertainment, art, and ofrendas.
One of the most popular aspects of the Dia de los Muertos are the treats that are made as a result of the holiday, with the most popular being sugar skulls and pan de muerto. Sugar skulls, which are essentially sugar cubes in the shape of a skull, have been around since the 17th century. They’re very unhealthy for your teeth, but people often use sugar skulls as a decoration rather than a snack. Pan de Muerto, however, is a perfectly edible, delicious, and sweet snack to enjoy during celebrations. The direct translation of pan de muerto is “the bread of the dead”, but don’t be alarmed because it is quite the opposite. The bread is traditionally baked only in the week of Dia de los Muertos, and due to its unique flavor, it’s one of the most popular foods during this time. The treat is normally paired with a side of hot cocoa or punch. Family members also make dishes that their passed loved ones enjoyed eating such as tamales, tortas, and mole. Traditions like this make the celebration grander and more anticipated throughout each year.
Entertainment wise, Dia de los Muertos started the tradition of painting faces in a skeletal fashion, along with handmade skeleton figures and special dances. During Dia de los Muertos, kids like to get their faces painted into skeletons as a way of entertaining themselves. Similarly, Mexican dancers paint their faces and wear special costumes as they perform for hundreds and thousands of people watching. In these dances, men and women traditionally perform in honor of their loved ones who they have lost, which makes it a lot more emotional than when performing for other celebrations. Additionally, sculptures and paintings that depict the beauty of life and death are exhibited to those passing through festivals and November showcases. This idea of celebrating past life rather than depicting it in a scary manner such as with zombies is what makes Dia de los Muertos such a unique and incredible celebration.
The most important part of Dia de los Muertos, however, are the Ofrendas. Ofrendas are home altars where families put pictures, items, and foods that are all connected to their past loved ones. This part of the celebration is what makes the celebration what it is—a day where you can look back at all the amazing moments shared in each other’s lifetime. Although you can’t bring them back, remembering and celebrating them keeps their spirit alive forever.
Dia de los Muertos is a very special and important yearly celebration that Hispanics have celebrated for centuries. Due to many Hispanics now living all around the world, the tradition has expanded to multiple other cultures, especially in the United States. The Mills Thunderbolt hopes you all stay safe with your celebrations, and don’t forget to enjoy some Pan de Muerto while you’re at it!
