District Administrative Staff Celebrate Día de los Muertos

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Several staff members provided photographs of their deceased loved ones to remember on Day of the Dead. The Pixar movie “Coco” also played throughout the day.

On November 2, administrators at the district’s Donaldson Administrative Building celebrated Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). The Mexican holiday focuses on remembering deceased family members and friends each year. This festive and social occasion was developed from ancient traditions of the Aztecs and welcomes the return of those who have died and recognizes the cycles of life and death.

The Family and Community Engagement Department coordinated the effort to create an ofrenda or altar with images of family and friends that have died. Traditionally, the ofrenda includes for main elements — earth, wind, water, and fire. The ofrendas also offerings like the deceased’s favorite foods, beverages, and other memorabilia. They also provided Mexican pastries and coffee for staff to enjoy.

Origins of Day of the Dead
The idea of celebrating loved ones who have passed comes from the traditions of the native peoples such as the Aztec, Maya, Olmec, and Toltec, of what is now Mexico and Central America. Traditions among different groups varied, but all shared the concept of an afterlife. They believed that life and death were part of nature’s cycle.

When Spanish conquistadors arrived in Mexico in the 16th century, they brought their faith, including All Saints Day and All Souls Day celebrations. The current Day of the Dead celebrations developed from the intermingling of indigenous and Spanish priests’ traditions.

Day of the Dead Today
Today, November 1, is dedicated to honoring the children who have died and is often called (Día de los angelitos or Day of the Little Angels). November 2 is reserved to honor the adults who have passed.

Key Words

Ofrenda = altar; ofrendas light the way home
Calaveras = skulls; symbolize death and rebirth
Calacas = skeletal figurines
La Catrina = a stately female skeleton in a flowered hat and long dress
cempasuchil = at type of marigold flower
Papel picado = colorful, artfully cut pieces of crepe paper
Pan de muertos = special bread representing the souls of the dead
Incense = represents the changing of the physical to the spiritual
Salt and water represent ongoing life
Candles represent light, faith, and hope
Fresh flowers, especially marigolds, represent the fleetingness of life
Monarch Butterflies = The monarchs were believed to be the souls of the departed journeying back to the land of the living.

In Mexico, Central America, South America, and in places where the Dia de los Muertos is observed, families gather to prepare for the holiday several days in advance. Preparations first include cleaning the gravesite of loved ones and cleaning the home. They will then prepare favorite foods such as and (pan de muertos o bread of the dead). There is an ofrenda decorated with flowers, photos of deceased family members, and offerings for the dead in many homes. Family members will also decorate and place offerings for the dead at their gravesites. They believe that the spirits of their deceased relatives will visit on the Day of the Dead because the offerings entice them to return. Some families will spend most of the night in the cemetery singing and eating to celebrate the spiritual return of their loved ones.

In towns and cities throughout Mexico, revelers don makeup and costumes to look like calaveras or skeletons in fancy dress known as catrinas, hold parades and parties. Most festivals feature calaveras, which once symbolized death and rebirth to the ancient people. Calaveras are often made of sugar or clay. In some regional celebrations of Día De Los Muertos, people wear wooden skull masks called calacas and dance to honor their deceased relatives.

Día de los Muertos, is an explosion of color and life-affirming joy. Yes, the theme is death, but the point is to demonstrate love and respect for deceased family members.