November 1 and 2 are the strongest dates of the Day of the Dead celebrations.. During these family celebrations they remember their deceased. Here we tell you how this ancient tradition is celebrated.
The first two days of November are considered holidays by the Mexican authorities, due to their great relevance in the country’s culture. However, the celebrations are from October 28 to November 2.
What is celebrated on November 1 and 2?
On November 1 and 2, the Day of the Dead is celebrated, in which Mexicans remember their dead. The first day is dedicated to the children who died. The following day the deceased adults are remembered.
It is important to note that this tradition has its origins in the time of pre-Hispanic Mexico, long before the Conquest.
The traditional celebration arises with the Mexican, who interpreted death in a special way. They believed in Mictlanthe underworld where most of the deceased arrive, whose name means “place of the dead.”
Mictlán is divided into 9 levels through which you must pass, overcoming its tests and thus reach eternal rest.
The Mexica celebrated their dead after the harvest season, between the months of September and November.
Celebrations after the conquest
During these dates the Spanish conquistadors celebrated All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.
By conquering Mexico, The Catholic Church made the celebrations of Day of the Dead They will be held on November 1 and 2, merging both traditions.
Do you want to know more about All Saints’ Day? Here we tell you.
After evangelizing the native Mexicans, ancestral practices such as burying the deceased at home changed to, for example, depositing the remains in churches.
They also established the offeringswhere it is customary to pray for the deceased, put food, photographs and belongings of the deceased that they liked in life.
How is November 1 and 2 celebrated?
To celebrate these days in Mexico it is customary to decorate the graves of the deceased in the pantheons with flowers, papel picado, and candles. There their relatives spend time watching over the cemeteries, either praying or playing some music.
The celebrations vary a little depending on the region, for example in Mexico City there are some parades alluding to the tradition of the Day of the Dead.
It is also customary to place offerings in houses, in them you can find the following elements:
- cempasuchil flower
- Candles and candles
- Incense
- Copal
- Water
- Salt
- bread of the dead
- The deceased’s favorite items and food
So now you know, there are many ways to celebrate this colorful Mexican tradition.
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