The Mexican Holiday of Day of the Dead

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Table of Contents

Cultural Features of the Holiday
Features of Traditional Dances and Other Activities
Food and Other Attributes of the Holiday
Personal Experience

The pandemic is still making its adjustments to life, and many things can still be done mainly online, including watching festivals and concerts. It happened this year with celebrations dedicated to the Mexican holiday Day of the Dead (Dia de Los Muertos). I am a big fan of various cultural events, their history, and traditions. The festival traditionally takes place in Mexico on November 2. However, I did watch a video of the festival taking place at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery with the support of the local Mexican community. It is not the first time I have had a great interest in such events. From school, I actively attend and watch artistic dances and cultural celebrations. It is a great way to get acquainted with the culture and traditions of different countries. Before the pandemic, I had experience in attending Mexican festivals and dances, Chinese New Year celebrations, and performances by Ukrainian dancers.

Cultural Features of the Holiday

Mexican Day of the Dead is one of the most spectacular and amusing carnivals. On November 2, Mexico remembers all deceased relatives, but people share pure joy and fun instead of sorrow and sadness. The festival is accompanied by street parades and dance performances. The theme of death can be traced in all aspects of the occasion. The dancers are dressed in magnificent multi-colored clothes, which symbolize the main character of the holiday – a female skeleton named Katrina. Women in national costumes dance in the squares with baskets filled with flowers. Most flowers are orange marigolds, which, according to Indian beliefs, attract the souls of the dead. In addition, the faces of the participants in the celebration are painted like colorful skulls.

Features of Traditional Dances and Other Activities

Dancing plays a big part in the Day of the Dead. Both men and women equally take part in the dances; they can use traditional choreographic movements or move at will. The characteristic feature of the female dance is the repeated rotation of her colorful puffy skirt. Female gestures are rather gentile and synchronized, while men are more desynchronized and chaotic. Men can dance with flags and the drums, beating rhythmic music. Some of them wear massive skull masks, feathers, and massive costumes that make a lot of noise and accompany the music. During the parade, everyone can notice the presence of professional artists with well-coordinated synchronized movements. However, other parade participants can join them at any time. Dance allows witnessing the harmony of people and the general spirit of enjoyment. In addition to dancing, people sing a lot, laugh, gather with whole families in memory of beloved deceased relatives.

Food and Other Attributes of the Holiday

One of the key elements of the Day of the Dead is the altars, which are considered portals through which the dead can visit the real world. People place different gifts and candies on it; decorate everything with flowers and ornaments. In honor of the holiday, locals prepare sweet bread (pan de muerto) and bake souvenirs in it: a small skull, a bone, which is considered great luck to find. In addition to bread, locals prepare and sell different souvenirs: key rings, figurines, chocolates, magnets, T-shirts with skulls, skeletons and coffins, masks. Figurines in the form of coffins are especially popular; for Mexican culture, this symbol does not have any negative sense.

Personal Experience

I really liked the festival, its theme, cultural background, and amusing dance component. I felt genuine happiness and delight from a bright and exciting performance while even watching it online. I heard a lot about this event before, but it exceeded all my expectations. Next year, I will definitely try to see the celebration live to become more familiar with Mexican culture, dancing, and ceremonies. Such events are a great opportunity to show respect to the traditions and customs of another country.

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The Mexican Holiday of Day of the Dead

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