All Souls Day: November 2
All Souls Day is celebrated in Mexica, USA, Latin America, South America and Canada.
All Souls Day is a day celebrated in Mexico, Latin America, South America El Día de los Muertos. The holiday is dedicated for the living persons to visit their dead relatives in their graves and to honor them with those items which they were very fond of. All Souls Day is also known as “The Day of the Dead”.
Day of the Dead History
Mexico known for its Latin American connections is also known for its unique holidays and cultures. Dia de los Muertos is also said to have been originated in Mexico. The day of the dead has been observed for a very long time in the Mexican region. Their origins can be tracked back up to the Zaqpotec, Aztec, and Maya’s. Rituals to celebrate the death of loved ones and to honour them, has been carried on for more than 2500 – 3000 years. The festival of El Día de los Muertos is celebrated on the 2nd of November every year.
The celebrations in Mexico are dedicated to goddess Mictecacihuatl. The 1st of November honours the infants and children’s and 2nd of November honour the adults. It is believed that during this day it is possible for the dead to visit their loved ones. People visit the dead person’s cemeteries and offer them with prayers and food and beverages. They also presented them with articles, which the deceased were very fond of. Some people sell out interesting anecdotes about the dead and a few get drunk in remembrance of the dead. It is believed that the dead eat the nutritional value present in the foods and what we eat after presenting to them is devoid of all these.
Day of the Dead Customs and Activities
The celebrations held to mourn the dead are highly varied. Some people build new altars, and decorate the graves. The people gather food for the dead and present them at the graves. Toys and play stuff are presented to children. Bottles of drinks such as tequila and atole jars are brought for the older adults. The people also present them with trinkets and other articles of joy for the dead. Chocolate or Sugar skulls are made and presented to the dead with their name written on the forehead. A few other people even present them with sleeping bags for the souls of the departed to sleep in after their tiring journey. The day of the dead is celebrated in several parts o the world under several names. Whichever be the form of celebrations, the respect and love for the dead loved ones brings back memories of those persons which will remain as warm memories in the living person’s hearts.
There is a popular belief on the theory that there is life after death. Whether the theory is true or not, we may never know for sure. Either way the people of the world always have an emotional bonding with their loved ones even when they are dead. People go to great extents to honour their dead loved ones and people have dedicated special days for their remembrance of the dead.
Other interesting posts:
- Labour Day; May Day; Workers’ Day; Day of Kazak
- New Year
- All Saints Day is observed by Christians
- Maundy Thursday Observed by Christians Around the World
- Feast of the Immaculate Conception Celebrated by Christians
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