the dead

Day of the what?
by Melissa Mora

Zombies, Cemeteries, ghost, and spirits, is that what the day of the dead is all about? No, it isn't! The day of the dead is a celebration with a long history behind it. Indigenous communities in North, South and Central America have celebrated the day of the dead for many, many years.

Both Aztecs and Mayans celebrated the day of the dead by honoring all of their loved ones who had passed away. Death wasn't seen as a horrible and negative, the indigenous people's way of thinking about it was that death was just another part of life. The way they kept the spirit of their loved ones alive was by remembering them and keeping them in their hearts. Fall was when the Day of the Dead was celebrated; the reason for this is because that was when all of the new crops were harvested, and that symbolized life.

Day of the Dead was celebrated by feasting for three months straight. In Mexico the flower sempasuchil which is a marigold was used in the cemeteries, because it is believed that the dead follow the scent of the flowers. Copal a hard, milky, sticky substance, like resin is also burned so that the space is cleansed from negativity and bad spirits and the dead could also follow the scent. So next year when the Day of the Dead comes around remember that it's significant to those around you. Honor your loved ones who have passed away and be a part of the celebration.