Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Cultural Musings on Día de los Muertos


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.


Mexicans know they won't be deported.
Americans fear they will be departed.

Happy Día de los Muertos, y'all!


*These photos were taken at various festivals throughout Los Angeles.

8 comments:

  1. HA! 'Americans think skeletons make them look fat'. I can always get a good laugh here, even on deathly days. GREG

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  2. Mexicans will receive sweets and breads from their loved ones.
    Americans only get flowers, and daisies are a poor substitute for chocolate.

    AAAAAAA....men sister!

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  3. Love the little sugar skulls! Very cool pics, thanks for sharing!

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  4. I was smiling throughout this post. The photos and accompanying text are so fitting. I too agree that death should be a joyous experience.

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  5. Thanks for helping us understand the meaning of Dia de los Muertos! I would never allow a skeleton to allow me to feel fat! xo

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  6. These photos are really interesting. I enjoyed seeing the pic of Dennis Hopper in there. It must have been fun going around to the festivals.

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  7. You 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.

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  8. Ok, I have given it a fair amount of time, now I am ready for the "latest installment". GREG

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