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What is Dia de los Muertos? Interesting facts about the Day of the Dead holiday.

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What is Dia de los Muertos? Interesting facts about the Day of the Dead holiday.

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Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is an annual celebration that takes place in Mexico and Latin American communities. It dates back more than 3,000 years when the Aztecs and other Mesoamerican societies viewed death as an essential part of existence.

Today, the tradition of honoring the deceased continues primarily in Mexico, but people around the world love the exuberance and positive light the day offers and have created their own traditions.

When is Day of the Dead?

Día de los Muertos is celebrated on Friday, November 1st and Saturday, November 2nd. The holiday is marked by two days of celebration to remember loved ones by celebrating their lives rather than mourning them. This time is believed to lift the veil between the living and the dead, allowing the deceased to visit their family and friends.

Over the course of the two days, three types of ghosts are remembered, starting with the ghosts of children, then adults, and in the final hours of the second day, everyone.

In Mexico and other Latino communities around the world, colorful costumes are worn and many parties, parades and festivals are held to welcome these spirits.

How is the Day of the Dead celebrated?

The Day of the Dead begins at midnight on November 1st with Día de los Angelitos (Day of the Little Angels), when deceased children travel to the land of the living to be with their families for 24 hours. The children's photos are placed on altars called ofrendas, or offerings, and decorated with their favorite foods, candies, toys and sugar skulls with their names on them.

Midnight on the second day transitions into Día de los Difuntos, where adult spirits are celebrated. Ofrendas large and small are created from marigolds and past memories such as photos, favorite foods and drinks, tequila and mezcal, personal items and other meaningful items.

The rest of the day is a celebration of all moods. It is full of love, cherished memories, music, laughter, singing and dancing. It is a time to dress up and celebrate who a loved one was, while encouraging them to come back and take part in the celebrations created to honor their life.

What events are happening in Oregon for Day of the Dead?

  • Día de Muertos: Oregon Project: Taking place from October 13th to November 3rd, this event is a project that “explores the origins and evolution of the traditional Mexican celebration of the Day of the Dead” and consists of an art themed “Day of the Dead”. Dead” consists of installations and exhibitions throughout Oregon, according to the Oregon Muertos website. Installations, skeletons and several community ovens can be found in Eugene, Gresham, Portland and Hillsboro.

Ginnie Sandoval is an Oregon Connect reporter for the Statesman Journal. Sandoval can be reached at GSandoval@gannett.com or to X @Ginnie Sandoval.

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