The Grim Reaper

The Days of the Dead are November 1 and 2, which is the Mexican version of Halloween.  

The Mexicans make food for wandering souls. They say, “The dead are full of life.’’  According to the Mexicans they prepare statues, toys, and food for the spirits.

There are different reasons for celebrating this day.  “We need to remember the dead,” say the elders of Mexico.  One of the most feared figures in the Mexican culture is La Muerta, or death.  La Muerta is the Mexican “grim reaper.”

From mid-October through the first week of November, shops all over Mexico are filled with special souvenirs for the Dia de Muertos (Day of the Dead). These include all kinds of skeletons and other macabre toys; intricate tissue paper cut-outs called papel picado; elaborate wreaths and crosses decorated with paper or silk flowers; candles and votive lights; and fresh seasonal flowers.  Some good things to eat during this celebration are skulls, coffins and so on made from chocolate.  These are purchased to give as offerings to the dead.

At home, people dress up altars for their dead relatives, decorating them with candles, flowers, photographs of the dead person, candy skulls and the dead person's favorite foods and drinks. 

On November 2, family members gather at the cemetery for graveside reunions.  These reunions are happy, not sad.   Some families even bring along picnic baskets and sometimes even a mariachi band to lead a sing-along.

I would like to visit a Mexican cemetery if I am ever in Mexico at that time of year.