Day of the Dead, or Día de los Muertos, dates back hundreds of years to an Aztec festival dedicated to a goddess of the dead named Mictecacihuatl. Celebrated on November 2, it's a joyful holiday filled with food, family and crafts that's made me realize just how different our two cultures are. So today I have tried to answer the question:
Why do Mexicans celebrate death while Americans fear it?
Mexicans will have food delivered to them in the hereafter.
Americans fear it's their final to-go box.
Mexicans know they’ll be reunited with their familia.
Americans fear they’ll be reunited with their in-laws.
Mexicans will receive sweets and breads from their loved ones.
Americans only get flowers, and daisies are a poor substitute for chocolate.
Mexicans think skeletons are funny.
Americans think skeletons make them look fat.
Mexicans enjoy making skulls out of sugar.
Americans find that high-fructose corn syrup does not lend itself to the decorative arts.
Americans fear they will be departed.
Happy Día de los Muertos, y'all!
*These photos were taken at various festivals throughout Los Angeles.
HA! 'Americans think skeletons make them look fat'. I can always get a good laugh here, even on deathly days. GREG
ReplyDeleteMexicans will receive sweets and breads from their loved ones.
ReplyDeleteAmericans only get flowers, and daisies are a poor substitute for chocolate.
AAAAAAA....men sister!
Love the little sugar skulls! Very cool pics, thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI was smiling throughout this post. The photos and accompanying text are so fitting. I too agree that death should be a joyous experience.
ReplyDeleteThanks for helping us understand the meaning of Dia de los Muertos! I would never allow a skeleton to allow me to feel fat! xo
ReplyDeleteThese photos are really interesting. I enjoyed seeing the pic of Dennis Hopper in there. It must have been fun going around to the festivals.
ReplyDeleteYou raise some very intriguing questions. Through the years I've acquired, never read, and finally donated away a number of books about death. I am a typical American: Do Not Want to Think About It.
ReplyDeleteOk, I have given it a fair amount of time, now I am ready for the "latest installment". GREG
ReplyDelete