Last week was the ever-spooky holiday of Halloween in the United States. However, in Mexico and parts of South America, there was another holiday going on that is definitely creepier than Halloween. It’s called the Day of the Dead.
Like the original Halloween, the Day of the Dead is for remembering the dead. It’s celebrated every year from October 31st to November 2nd.
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During the festivities, visits are paid with offerings to the graves of ancestors.
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These offerings might be the favorite foods or beverages of the deceased, or even their former possessions.
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Some families even build small private alters (known as “ofrendas”) to honor the dead.
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Across Mexico during the Day of the Dead, displays like this are commonplace.
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They manage to give a playful twist to what would otherwise be a morbid holiday.
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One of the most popular figures of the Day of the Dead in Mexico is “La Calavera Catrina,” also known as “Dapper Skeleton,” or “Elegant Skull.”
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La Catrina traces her origins to a satirical cartoon from the early 1900s. She since became an icon of the Day of the Dead.
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Many women, young and old, adopt her likeness for their Day of the Dead costumes.
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Here is a gathering of women dressed like La Catrina attempting to break a world record during the holiday for the most La Catrinas gathered in one place.
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Of course the holiday also has plenty of other costumes and celebrations.
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Some are fittingly ironic, like this guy who made his Day of the Dead costume out of cigarette boxes.
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Some are decidedly creepier.
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Others take a more traditional approach, like this person dressed as an Aztec dancer.
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This girl’s dress is made completely out of recycled plastic cups, plates, and utensils.
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The holiday was originally celebrated by the indigenous people of Mexico, prior to the arrival of the Spanish.
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During that time, the Day of the Dead was celebrated during the summer.
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After the Spanish began colonizing Mexico, the holiday was moved to the fall and merged with the Christian holiday of All Saints Day.
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Even though the Day of the Dead is a traditionally southern Mexican holiday, it grew in popularity in recent years throughout Mexico. Now it is in celebrated all over the country, and in different places across the world.
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H/T: The Telegraph
I have to be honest: the Day of the Dead looks like so much more fun than Halloween. Maybe I’ll have to check it out next year.
