What is Dia De Los Muertos? Dia De Los muertos is Spanish for Day of the Dead. Dia De Los Muertos is a holiday that is celebrated for loved ones who have passed away.
This celebration is more commonly celebrated in Central America. Dia De Los Muertos is celebrated in the first days of November. On these days, Hispanics put up altars to show respect to the deceased.
Dia De Los Muertos is not like Halloween whatsoever. There is little representation of Dia De Los Muertos in the U.S, but there have been movies that have come out giving us small information of the day. The Disney Pixar movie Coco gives the audience an image of Dia De Los Muertos on how the Hispanic community honors their loved ones.
“We set up a table with photos of our passed relatives and with their favorite foods,” said freshman Cristian Vargas.
If you’ve watched the movie Coco you’ll see a few examples of how people decorate their altars. When you make an altar, you always will have a photo or photos of passed relatives. Altars always include decorations of sorts like flowers and sugar skulls. Many people put a variety of foods that the person loved. Making altars for those loved ones is a way in which you guide their spirit back home for the holiday.
“It’s a celebration dedicated to remembering and reminiscing those important to us who have passed away. I did celebrate it once. After my great grandma passed, my nana celebrated it, so we all celebrated together of course,” said freshman Alanna Cruz.
In Central America, people celebrate by dressing up as skeletons and going around their town very much similar to a parade. They always flock into the graveyards as well to honor the return of their passed relatives.
“The library will be celebrating Dia De Los Muertos with a display. We are also collaborating with the Spanish teachers to bring their classes to the library to display their special pictures,” said Ms. Valerie Tijerina, Central and South MCHS library assistant.
