Candles lit, offerings brought, and prayers sent. All of these actions are done on Dia de los Muertos, also commonly known as the Day of the Dead. This holiday is celebrated primarily by Mexicans, Mexican-Americans, and Latinos on the first two days of November.
The history of this tradition, which consists of celebrating deceased loved ones, began over 2,000 years ago with the Aztecs. It began with what they called All Saints Day and All Souls Day, which later evolved into Dia de los Muertos.
The Day of the Dead is a special holiday, made to remember those who have died and ensure they will not be forgotten. Furthermore, it is important to bring together family for a day to talk about and remember ancestors, relatives, and loved ones.
If you are Hispanic or interested in ways to celebrate lost loved ones on these days, there are many things you can do! You can make altars (ofrendas) to represent people with their favorite colors, designs, etc. Bringing favorite foods and sentimental items to the altars are other great options. For example, Natalie Montes, a student from Canyon High School, mentions how she celebrates by “baking [her] lost one’s favorite desserts.”
However, there are also simpler ways to honor loved ones. Small things, such as sharing stories and memories, are enough to light the candle of a person's soul. Additionally, baking sweets a person loved, bringing flowers–even just one–can honor someone. Simply remembering someone is enough to honor them for the Day of the Dead, because it shows that they are not forgotten.
At the end of the day, no matter how you choose to participate in the holiday, the main goal is to be there with family and reminisce about the happy times we experienced with the people we have lost.
