'Dia De Muertos': The Mexican Way Of Honouring The Dead

By Samantha Tan Chiew Ting KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 8 (Bernama) -- Losing a loved one is heart-breaking enough and the memories of the dead will linger with the living forever. Yet rather than mourn, some cultures celebrate the deceased. There are many unique ways observed by different cultures all over the world to honour and remember the deceased. Whether in a sombre or happy manner, the message is the same...it's to appreciate, remember and welcome the departed soul to be reunited with their family during a particular occasion. HAPPY CELEBRATION FOR MEXICANS In Mexico, the people there believe the deceased should be celebrated and given a helping hand in their spiritual journey. 'The Day of the Dead' or known as 'Dia de Muertos' in Spanish, is an annual event celebrated on Nov 1 and 2 not only to honour the dead but also to celebrate the joy of life. This special celebration is declared by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) in 2008 as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity due to its cultural and tradition richness. Mexican Ambassador to Malaysia Carlos Felix Corona provided Bernama a glimpse of the 'Dia de Muertos' event at his residence here. Based on this writer's observation, Mexico's Day of the Dead is quite similar with other cultures, like the Halloween in the United States, 'Qingming' or called tomb-sweeping day observed by the Chinese, 'P'chum Ben' or Ancestors' Day observed in Cambodia and South Korea's Chuseok. An unique feature of Mexico's 'Dia de Muertos' is face painting with vibrant colours inspired by La Catrina, the image of the 'Elegant Skull'. MARIGOLDS, SUGAR LA CATRINA, DEATH BREAD AMONG SYMBOLS Felix Corona shared with Bernama on how Mexicans celebrate their dead. Altars are prepared to welcome the departed ones home and spend a night with the family. "Families will put up altar to welcome them home. Is like a magic night for the deceased to reunite once a year with their family members," he explained. He said the annual festival is celebrated joyfully as the Mexicans believe death is part of life and also a continuation of the spirits' journey into another dimension. Each year, as November gets closer, the puffy yellow-orange coloured Marigolds bloom and they serve as a reminder for Mexicans that the 'Day of the Dead' has arrived. During this month, streets in Mexico are full of marigold flowers, stalls selling traditional goods, decorative items for the altars including candles, and gifts like skull shaped candies made of sugar or chocolate that symbolise death and after life. Marigold is considered among the most important item on the altars. It is believed that its strong fragrance will help lead the souls back to their altars. Another offering on the altar is 'Pan de muerto' also known as bread of the dead, a traditional Mexican sweet bread freshly baked during the festival. Representing the circle of life, the bread is often shaped into skulls, bones and arranged in a circular pattern. The altars' surrounding will decorated with 'papel picado' (perforated paper), a Mexican art, as it represents the union between life and death, and also happiness for life. REMEMBERING POET OCTAVIO PAZ To celebrate this year's Day of the Dead, Mexico's Embassy in Malaysia honoured the Mexican poet and diplomat Octavio Paz Lozano. The embassy prepared a seven-level decorated altar and lit up by candles to welcome his soul. Felix Corona said besides key decorative items, the altar could also be decorated with the deceased's favourite items or personal belongings to express respect and appreciation to him. "To honour Octavio Paz, we prepared tequila, cigar and a pen. He was a writer and diplomat so I guess he must have used a lot of pens to write and sign," he explained. Born on March 31, 1914 and departed on April 19, 1998, Octavio Paz is considered as one of the most influential writers of the 20th century and one of the greatest poets of all time. One of his quotes "The Mexican... is familiar with death, jokes about it, caresses it, sleeps with it, celebrates it. It is one of his favourite toys and his most steadfast love" (photoBERNAMA). --BERNAMA