Día de Muertos or “Day of the Dead” is a holiday celebrated predominately in Mexico and by people of Mexican heritage around the world. It takes place on 1st–2nd November, although it can stretch as far back as 31st October or as late as 6th November if you live in Yucatan.
The holiday commemorates the dead in a joyous way where people pay their respects in remembrance of the loved ones they have lost. No doubt you will have seen the famous traditions of Día de Muertos such as calaveras (edible or decorative skulls made from sugar or clay), cempazúchitl (a marigold flower native to Mexico), and home altars known as ofrendas.
I thought it’d be cool to post some interesting links on Día de Muertos and its various traditions so here they are:
Links
- Pop culture calaveras including Kermit the Frog, the Xenomorphs from Alien, and a LEGO figure’s head. Artist Mikel Yantz made some pop culture calaveras as well
- Building my Ofrenda –
Embodying ancestral knowledge in a scientific dystopia
- Arbol de la Vida (Tree of Life) to Celebrate Day of the Dead by Lola Wiarco Dweck
- Some thoughts on cultural appropriation on Día de Muertos (and how to avoid it) from Pop Sugar, People.com, The Conversation, and Refinery29
- Letterboxd movies lists to watch through during Día de Muertos
- 17 Traditional Foods To Try For Day Of The Dead and Guatemalan Fiambre For Day Of The Dead
- The symbols and traditions of Dia de los Muertos, from a semiotic perspective
- Day of the Dead Candle Magnets!
- Apparently, Día de Muertos watches are a thing too?
- 10 things to know about the Day of the Dead
- 10 Drop Dead Gorgeous Cakes For Día de los Muertos
- Literary Calaveras from the Smithsonian
- Sugar Skulls, Tamales And More: Why Is That Food On The Day Of The Dead Altar?
- ‘Coco’: How Pixar Brought Its “Day of the Dead” Story to Life