District Administrative Staff Hold ‘Día de los Muertos’ Celebration

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On November 2, the district’s Donaldson Administrative Building staff celebrated Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). This festive, social occasion 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 holiday was developed mainly in Mexico. However, it is observed in other places. Día de los Muertos focuses on remembering deceased family members and friends.

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 have offerings like the deceased’s favorite foods, beverages, and memorabilia. They also provided Mexican pastries and coffee for the staff to enjoy. Staff who would like to take part are encouraged to bring their photos to the Family and Community Engagement Office by Tuesday, November 1. FACE will create an ofrenda to showcase on Wednesday, November 2.

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 Aztecs, Mayans, Olmecs, and Toltecs, 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 intermingling 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 — a 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 were believed to be the souls of the departed journeying back to the land of the living.
Alebrijes are brightly colored Mexican folk art sculptures of fantastical (fantasy/mythical) creatures.

Families gather to prepare for the holiday several days in advance in Mexico, Central America, South America, and places where the Dia de los Muertos is observed. Preparations first include cleaning the gravesite of loved ones and cleaning the home. They will then prepare their 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.

Most festivals feature calaveras, which once symbolized death and rebirth to the ancient people. Calaveras are often made of sugar or clay. In towns and cities throughout Mexico, revelers don makeup and costumes to look like calaveras or skeletons in fancy dresses called catrinas and hold parades and parties. In some Día De Los Muertos regional celebrations, 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. Día de los Muertos is about remembering loved ones — family members and friends — that have passed and demonstrating love and respect for them.

Click here to learn more about Día de los Muertos.