The “Day of the Dead”, also known as “Dia de los Muertos”, is a social Mexican holiday that spills into public squares and streets at all hours of the day and night with people dressed up like skeletons and painted faces for welcoming their dead ones. The interesting information learned about the “Day of the Dead” holiday is the belief that the border separating the spirit world where all dead ones reside and the real world in which living beings inhabit is dissolved. The tradition is amazing as it is believed that the doors of Heaven are opened for 24 hours so that the souls of the ancestors can be transported to the Earth where they can meet their loved ones.
The tradition is the Mexican version of Halloween with a blend of Mesoamerican rituals, Spanish culture, and European religion that is celebrated by Mexicans from October 31 to November 2 each year. In towns, cities, streets, and squares throughout Mexico, families prepare for a brief reunion that includes celebration by holding parades and parties while being dressed up in skeleton costumes along with funky makeup. Offerings are presented to the dead ones in the form of food and drinks as they are still considered members of the community so Mexican make celebrations to keep the deceased alive in their memory and spirit (Dobrin).
Halloween has its origin from the ancient Celtic rituals and the “Day of the Dead” originates from the Aztecs in the 16th century so the first and foremost thing that differentiates both rituals is their origin. It is a common perception that the “Day of the Dead” is actually the Mexican version of Halloween because both celebrations share similar rituals, imagery, costumes, and offerings. However, Halloween is considered a dark night of mischief. On the contrary, the Day of the Dead is considered a ritual or tradition full of joy as families are filled with love during this celebration to welcome back the deceased souls of their loved ones or relatives (Brandes). It is also an amazing ritual that people save their two months of salary to buy things for the Day of Dead holidays as they have huge parties on this special day.
Both celebrations are different as they are celebrated in a different manner and are similar as they offer sugary treats. Moreover, parents buy costumes for their children on Halloween so that they can go out and get candy. On the other side, on the “Day of the Dead”, parents make food and bring items to homes that were favorite of the deceased relatives. So, Halloween offers trick-and-treat celebrations for candies and the Day of the Dead offers parties that can be presented as an altar to the ancestor souls.
In conclusion, Halloween and the “Day of the Dead” are similar as well as different in a number of ways as both celebrations share a lot of imagery, offerings, colors, gothic symbols, and ties to spirits and death that are similar. Despite differences and distinctive points of view regarding the celebrations of the Day of the Dead, I am amazed that the heart and aura of this tradition have persisted over thousands of years and Mexicans celebrate this holiday recollecting and celebrating the memories of those who have passed on from this mortal world.
Works Cited
Brandes, Stanley. “The Day of the Dead, Halloween, and the Quest for Mexican National Identity.” Journal of American Folklore, 1998, pp. 359–80.
Dobrin, I. Día de Los Muertos Comes to Life across the Mexican Diaspora. NPR. 2017.
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