Day of the dead
As you know we
are rich in traditions, every year we make a lot of things for this date,
especially in the towns I think we are more traditionalists. My family usually
put a big altar for our forefathers. My mom always cooks special food such as
mole, Calabaza dulce, tamales, arroz con leche.
In the altar we also put a glass of water, a small plate with salt and
finally some photos to remember. We decorate our altar whit a special king of
paper called “papel picado”, whit candles, and some candies. The main idea is
prepare the favorite food of the dead and put in the altar his favorite things.
We always put this after October 29 or a few days
later. All my family usually go to the cementery to clean the graves, and left
flowers. The most popular flowers for this date are “cempasúchitl” The altar is
decorated with these flowers, because is one of the most important things in those
days. Other special thing is “calaverita” It is a typical candy for this date,
could be made of sugar, chocolate, amaranth, sweet potato or coconut. I love
these candies. I think, is very delicious and it has a big significance, we put
the name of our dead in the face of the calaverita.
Our altar has 7 different levels
(From the top
to down)
· * First
level: Has a photo of the saint that you or your family belief.
· *Second
level: It is make to the souls of the purgatory, it serve to the soul can have
permission to go out.
· *Level
3: People usually put in their altars a little plate whit salt because this
meaning the purification of the soul, especially for children.
· *Level
4: The typical bread is here for the soul who is coming.
· *Level
5: Food and fruit.
· * Level
6: A photo of our dead.
· *Level
7: In this level, we make a cross with different king of things ( fruit, seeds,
cinder, lime)
The main elements.
·
Water:
It is for the souls, because they come thirsting.
·
Candles:
The meaning is "the light to guide the souls to their old homes and to
guide his last destination.
·
Papel
picado: It means wind and joyfulness.
·
Flowers: To decorate the place, the petals of
cempazuchitl make a road to guide all the souls. White flowers meaning the heaven, yellow
flowers represent the earth and purple flowers represent mourning, praise and these
flowers cleaned evil souls.
·
Calaveras
de azucar: It means “The death always is here”.
