Day Of The Dead

Dia De Los Muertos 2024 INFO COMMING SOON


Program of Cultural Performers

https://youtu.be/3SshTTupJEs?si=NZiduigVExkPiyCW

Starts at 11am November 4th
Call 707-552-8055 for details

The Procesión De Las Ánimas Benditas and Cereomia De Ofrendas is a tradition that dates back to pre-Hispanic times, where the cultures of Mesoamerica celebrate the lives of their ancestors. These traditions honors the souls of those who have left the physical world, Offerings for the souls is a gift we give for a reunification through spirit with our loved ones.

The Procesión De Las Ánimas Benditas is a procession through the community to the Altar De Ofrendas. We carry different offerings such as pictures, saints, food, Pan De Muerto, drinks, candles, copal, decorations (Papel Picado, Calaveras De Azucar, Calacas), personal belongings, Cempasúchitl flowers (Flor de Muerto), and the 4 elements (water, wind, earth and fire). More info listed in the history section of this post.

In a healing time: memory offerings call our communities, partners, friends and organizations to collectively heal through the cultural and artistic practice of the elaboration of altars. It is through the memory that we call the love of our family, friends and members of the community – our dead dead – whose lives we have lost in the past. This enormous loss, both life and well -being, calls us to our cultural and sacred rituals that allow us to cry, remember, and know that they are in a much better place. We honor our loved ones who have died through an altar with offerings that beautifies this sacred ceremony with both Aztec (Mexica), Mayan and Catholic traditions.

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Dia De Los Muertos Festival Video Playlist 2014 to Present

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History

Dia De Los Muertos—the Day of the Dead is considered the most representative tradition of Mexican culture. The celebration takes place in two days: on November 1 is dedicated to the soul of children and on November 2 to that of adults. Although marked throughout Latin America, Dia de los Muertos is most strongly associated with Mexico, where the tradition originated. Dia De Los Muertos honors the dead and encourages families to come together to remember those who they have lost. It is a time for prayer, celebrations, festivals, and spiritual journeys. The custom combines indigenous Aztec rituals with Catholicism, forced to the region by Spanish conquistadores. (Dia De Los Muertos is celebrated on All Saints Day and All Souls Day, minor holidays in the Catholic calendar.)

Death as an encounter with the unknown has had different manifestations in different cultures, whether through literature or music, or through customs and sacred rites. The fear and taboo surrounding death in today’s Western civilizations is understandable, but Mexican culture has been able to give it a very particular comprehensive, solemn and festive point of view, which allows Mexicans to accept death. Death is a process, a journey to heaven. Calaveras are a reminder to enjoy life and embrace mortality. The calavera is a way of acknowledging that life is sacred and that death is a rite of passage. In Mexico, the inevitable should not be feared or avoided but faced with smiles and celebrations. Mexico’s historic Aztec culture and its old beliefs still prevail until today.

The pre-Spanish, colonial and current times

Mictlantecutli

The pre-Spanish indigenous people who lived in the territory of what we now call Mexico, had a concept of death quite different from that which would later come with conquest. The early known celebrations date back 7000 years ago. They were adapted by various indigenous people, then by larger indigenous nations like the Olmec (1200–400 BC .) and by the Aztecs (1100 CE – 1521 CE). The Aztecs believed that dying was the beginning of a journey to the underworld, also called Mictlán. There are several theories about Mictlán as a city of the dead, but all agree that this kingdom was separated by the 13 heavens and 9 underworlds Mictlan. Each traveler, depending on the life he or she had taken, should be addressed to one of them. Funerary rituals were sacred to the Aztec and Mayan cultures. When a loved one died, the body was buried with different objects: among them were the belongings of the deceased and those elements that the relatives believed the traveler could need in his journey to the underworld. Mictlan was reached by the dead only after wandering through obstacles for four years beneath the earth, accompanied by a “soul-companion”, a dog which was customarily cremated with the corpse. At the end of the journey, their souls would be at rest.

Dia de Los Muertos was originally celebrated on the Aztec Calendar 7th month June 2nd through the 10th month August 20th. Bernardino de Sahagún Dates precedes the observations of Diego Durán

June 2-21 (7th Month) Tecuithuitontli “Lesser Feast For the Revered Ones”. (June 21st Longest Day of the year)

June 22-July 11th (8th Month) Hueymiccaihuitl Tecuihuitl “Greater Feast of the Revered Ones”.

July 12- July 31st (9th Month) Tlaxochimaco Miccaihuitontli “Birth of the Flowers and Feast for the Revered Ones. In honor of the Deceased Children”.

August 1- August 20th (10th Month) (Xocotl Huetzi-Falling Fruit) Miccalhuitl Hueymiccailiuitl “Great Feast of the Dead. Celebrations took part on phases of the moon.

https://www.azteccalendar.com/

After the arrival of the Spaniards, the expansion of Christianity began and with it, a break of the cultures and traditions of the of the indigenous people.. The concept of hell and heaven was introduced for the first time in that society as punishment or reward. The Spanish missionaries changed the dates of these Aztec festivals to the Christian Feasts of All Souls and All Saints day. They were times where the syncretism reigned and they went assimilating some beliefs along with others. In the colonial era, although many of the traditions of the ancient peoples were almost lost, Christian evangelization also encountered strong resistance on the part of the natives. To take away their traditions was to take away their identity, and that was something the indigenous Mexica were not willing to negotiate.

Today, the Day of the Dead party is a combination of different cultures and beliefs. In Mexico’s tradition, people die three deaths. The first death is when our bodies cease to function; when our hearts no longer beat of their own accord, when our gaze no longer has depth or weight, when the space we occupy slowly loses its meaning. The second death comes when the body is lowered into the ground, returned to mother earth, out of sight. The third death, the most definitive death, is when there is no one left alive to remember us.

Mexico is a multicultural country that knew how to preserve its ancient rites and, in turn, add different meanings and traditions of various peoples and cultures.

The celebration of each November 2 begins with the bells of the church, accompanied by some rites, such as the creation of the altar of the dead. It is believed that the flowers, the prayers and the different symbols that accompany the day help the souls to return to earth to comfort their loved ones: relatives are an active part of this ceremony, supporting the traveler and paying tribute to all the loved ones in heaven

Symbolic elements

Death is the central character on this day, which is represented through multiple elements and rites. Among the main rites, we have the creation of skulls, which are a kind of humorous epitaphs for people who are still alive. In this way he jokes with and through death. The so-called Pan De Muerto “dead bread” can not be missing either. This is a traditional dish that consists of a sweet bread to which some strips of dough are added as “bones” of decoration. Yellow flowers are also tradition on this date, it is believed that they guide the soul to reach their relatives.

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The altar of the dead is the maximum expression of this celebration. The altar is a symbolic construction to pay homage to the dead, consists of the creation of an altar in the home where candles, flowers and food are put up as an offering for the deceased. VASE OF WATER: It is a symbol of purity, it also serves the spirit to refresh after his journey through the other world. CANDLES VELADORAS: It is the light that guides the deceased in their journey to the material world. MIRROR: It represents the only way in which the deceased can see his spiritual form when he arrives to take his offerings at the altar. BREAD OF DEAD PAN DE MUERTO: represents the body that the person lost when embarking on his journey through the other world, the lines on the bread of dead signify his bones as well as the cane. CLOTHING: Garments of the deceased are also placed so that the spirit remembers his physical form. PUMPKINS: Represents the skull or head that the spirit left on the ground when dying. CERÁMICA DOG: Mexican belief said that when people died, people had to cross a river to get to paradise, so a dog helped them to cross safely, it also removes the evil spirits from the altar. SUGAR CANE CAÑA: Represents the skeleton that the spirit lost when dying, generally they are crossed like a religious sign. TOYS OR PHOTOGRAPHS: If the deceased is a child, toys are placed on the altar for the spirit to play, if it is an adult, photographs are placed of when they lived or some personal object. SALT: Symbol of purification and preservation of the body, it is also the way that the deceased must follow up to the altar, can be placed in cross form to protect the spirit. CALAVERAS: They are placed on the altar to remind the person who no longer belongs to this world. PAPEL PICADO: They mean the threshold between the world of the dead and the world of the living, used with images of skulls, in colors such as black, orange and purple (Advent color in the Catholic religion). INCENSE: Incense is lit on the eve of November 2 to guide the soul of the deceased to the altar. FOOD: Food is placed that in life liked the deceased, so that it recharges its forces in its return to the other world. FLOWERS OF CEMPASÚCHIL: Placed since pre-Columbian times as a symbol of respect for the deceased, crosses can also be formed with these. YELLOW Represents the strength of light and life. It also evokes the sun, which in the Aztec tradition, is believed to guide the souls of the deceased. The traditional cemetery flower is the one that gives this yellow color in the decorations. That is why the petals of cemeteries are used to make roads, to guide the dead to their offerings. PURPLE: Represents Christian mourning. When they arrived in America the Spaniards in the sixteenth century brought their own celebrations of the Day of the Dead Christian and European, where they remembered the dead on All Saints’ Day. By turning the natives of the new world into a syncretism that blended the European and pre-Hispanic traditions, matching the Catholic festivities of All Saints’ Day and All Souls with the similar Mesoamerican festival, creating the present Day of the Dead and adding the purple color, which symbolizes Christian mourning in the celebration. BLACK: It refers to the pre-Hispanic religion, the Tlillan, the place of blackness, and Mictlán, that is, the site of the dead. WHITE It means light, innocence and purity. It is also used as a representation of the sky.The representation of each altar has its variations depending on each region of the country, but all agree that this rite is a gift to the ancestors and an invitation for them to visit.

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The seven steps of the alter: In the upper First step of this type of altars, the photograph of the favorite saint or of the virgin, or a cross is placed; in the second, there is the stamp of the souls of purgatory and in the third the salt. In the fourth step is placed the bread of death, and in the fifth the meals and dishes that are willing to offer the deceased. In the sixth step, the photo of the deceased person to whom the altar is dedicated is accommodated, and in the last one step, a cross of camandula, made of tejocote and limes. This altar also carries the four candles forming a cross, and includes a pot of clay olla de barro en un brasero, where aromatic herbs are put to clean the environment. There are also chains of purple and yellow paper, chopped colored paper Papel picado and three flowers, purple, yellow and white, symbolizing mourning, earth and sky, respectively. A new white canvas, which represents the purity of the spirit and the sky, is used as a tablecloth, and a single candle representing the soul of the deceased is accommodated. Maize and fruits are also offered as earthen offerings, as well as the favorite dishes of the deceased and sweet calaveras, thus representing the skull for the ancient Indians.

Assured that the dead would be insulted by mourning or sadness, Dia de los Muertos celebrates the lives of the deceased with food, drink, parties, and activities the dead enjoyed in life. Dia De Los Muertos recognizes death as a natural part of the human experience, a continuum with birth, childhood, and growing up to become a contributing member of the community. On Dia De Los Muertos, the dead are also a part of the community, awakened from their eternal sleep to share celebrations with their loved ones.

La Calavera Garbancera “La Catrina”

The most familiar symbol of Dia De Los Muertos may be the calacas and calaveras (skeletons and skulls), which appear everywhere during the holiday: in candied sweets, sugar skulls, parade masks, face paintings, and dolls. Calacas and calaveras are almost always portrayed as enjoying life, often in fancy clothes and entertaining situations.

The origins of La Catrina dates back before the Aztecs and was adapted by the Aztecs.. During the original festivals of the dead, the ninth month of the Aztec solar calendar (Tlaxochimaco, Miccailhuitontli) was commemorated and celebrated for an entire month. These festivities were directed by the goddess “Mictecacíhuatl” known as the “Lady of Death” (related today with “La Catrina” by José Guadalupe Posada) and was the wife of “Mictlantecuhtli”, Lord of the land of the dead. The celebrations were dedicated especially for children and the lives of deceased relatives.

La Catrina is associated with the Day of the Dead and death in general in Mexico, so it is always present both in cultural wear and drawings with which children have fun and play.

posada

The most famous “La Catrina” was created by Jose Guadalupe Posada (2-2-1852 / 1-20-1913) Born in the section of San Marcos in the city of Aguascalientes, Zacatecas (In 1857 that part of Zacatecas was admitted as the state of Aguascalientes Mexico). At a young age, he showed his genius artistic flair for drawing. His brother Cirilo Posada, who was also his literacy teacher signed him up at the “El Esfuerzo”, an arts and crafts school. He bacame a lithography apprentice at the age of 18 at the printing press of Jose Trinidad Pedroza.The business grew to be the most important of its kind in the central part of Mexico.. Posada’s first illustration was in “El Jicote”, a newpaper with a political comical overtone to it. It was the first edition of El Jicote that Posada made his first illustration of death (1872). The image of small skeleton holding a scythe over a tombstone. Posada reputation grew rapidly, not just locally “Aguascalientes”(1852-1872)*, but also in the city of Leon, Guanajuato (1872-1888)*, and in Mexico City (1888-1913)*. In 1890 he joined the workshop of editor Antonio Vanegas Arroyo, whom he worked with until his death. They produced a wide range of publications and themes that were so diverse that he was celebrated as the graphic chronicler and illustrator of his time. It was during this period of his life that Posada fully developed what was to become the popular Mexican graphic art that we know today. Posada artwork contains over 20,000 illustrations, lithographs, stamps, and artwork (lots of calavera garbanceras with clothes). The artistic “Genius of the Stamp” informed and entertained people through funny pictures that illustrated corridos and popular songs to stories of passionate crimes and gallant ladies in flyers that relate misery, love, greed, power, ,and death.

images catrina

One of his last engravings was the world renowned Calavera Garbancera (“Garbancera” to all those people who have indigenous blood, but pretended to be European, forgetting and not wanting to be part of their roots and their culture) later to be known as “Calavera Catrina (The Catrina Skull)”. The concept of La Catrina originated during the Porfiriato, between 1876 and 1910, when Porfirio Diaz was President of Mexico, as a criticism of the class binary in Mexico. Posada wanted to create a skeleton (La Calavera Garbancera (La Catrina) dressed extravagantly and elegantly to metaphorically represent the Mexican women of the upper class during the Porfiriato (before its revolution).. Some time later it became the official symbol of Death. Posada said that “death is democratic. because at the end of our lives , blonde or brunette, rich or poor everyone ends up as a skeleton”. The most iconic Catrina Calavera Garbancera was created in 1912 and published 10 months after Posada’s death on January 20th 1913. The image of La Catrina and its details are considered one of Mexico’s most iconic figures.

The name for La Catrina originated sometime after Posada’s death (!910) 1913 through 1920 and during the Mexican Revolution . The name La Catrina became popular 1926 through 1929 during the Cristeros.

Even though La Catrina is a skeleton, she symbolizes a tradition full of life with an extravagantly plumed sombrero tilted to the side and an elegant tight dress, La Catrina is a tall elegant, dignified female skeleton, eloquently stands as the center of attention in homes, restaurants, and museums all around Mexico and the world.

For Mexicans, death does not scare us, on the contrary, we dress La Catrina up nicely, we turn her into candy to eat it We craft La Catrina with different materials to be able to admire her as part of our culture, but specifically as part of “Dia De Lo Muertos” Day of The Dead,

La Catrina signifies death for Mexicans and there are different sizes, textures, and colors throughout Mexico and the world.. Even though La Catrina is now very popular, many people do not know its significance and they associate it with something dark, which is a mistake. La Catrina is something spiritual.

Over time, “the social commentary that La Catrina portrayed, which originated in the changes of Mexico’s modernity, its corrupt government, the hypocrisy of the rich or the suffering of the poor, has been lost between the general public. La Catrina is a symbol of unity, distinction and cultural pride for Mexicans. La Catrina is a form of unifying humanity because at the end we will all be just skeletons. In Mexico, we have always had adoration and admiration for skeletons… We are not afraid, we love the bones that represent our ancestors.

Important Catholic days

October 28th Dedicated to those that had a tragic death – Offerings: Candle and white flower

October 29th Dedicated to the dead that have no family and the forgotten – Offerings: Candle and glass of water

October 30th Dedicated to the dead that were never baptized – Offerings: Candle, glass of water, and white bread

October 31st Dedicated to our ancestors – Offerings: Candle, glass of water, white bread, fruit, and food

November 1st Dedicated to the children tht have passed away “All Saints”- Offerings: special food, atole, beans, fruits, candy and toys

November 2nd Dedicated to the faithful adult dead. They come to pick up the offerings from the alter. Incense of copal is burned and a trail of cempasuchil is made to guide them to the offerings.

November 3rd Dedicated to the family that are alive. Good food, drinks, and music. This will allow the souls to return the following year.

Previous Years Dia De Los Muertos Playlist

For Vendors.
We are not funded by the city or have sponsorships. We are a nonprofit that educates the community about culture to everyone. We also help our cause and other causes to the most needy. We are in the process of looking for funds, donations, grants, and sponsorships. We understand the vendors concerns and we have the lowest vendors fees, while still providing many needs to the community. All proceeds will go to our Island Of Misfit Toys Give-Away. We treat our vendors like family and not like dollar signs.

Step 1: Call 707-552-8055 (Do not send any payments using this number) Jaime (Pronounced HiMay) This is to not to get the same type of vendors. Please call if you have any questions. If you are a food vendor, only prepackaged sealed food vendors are being accepted. No other food vendors are being accepted. It is required for you to call 750-1001 to make sure you are allowed to sell. The event will be on a public closed street so health permits will be enforced.

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