Day of the Dead

Day of the Dead gives people a chance to remember and celebrate the lives of lost loved ones. For Mr. Garcia, “It’s a reminder we are still alive, a reminder that we have people who we love and that we can remember our loved ones and even though they passed away they’re still with us.” His favorite part is “That somehow you feel a connection with your loved ones. That you feel that their presence is with you.” It’s celebrated on November 1st as a day to remember children who have passed, and on November 2nd to honor the adults.

The Ofrenda is a shrine/temporary altar that honors the loved ones and provides them items they need on their journey. Pictures and belongings can also decorate the altars. The Ofrendas also include the elements: fire, water, earth, and wind. Water is often left in pitchers, Papel picado (the colorful paper banners you see around the school) represent the wind, Earth is represented by food left on the shrines, and Fire is represented by candles which are often arranged in the shape of a cross.

The Cempasúchil is the type of Marigold flower that often decorated Ofrendas. The flower also is placed around graves. The petals make a path for the spirits to travel from the cemetery to their families homes. Calaveritas de Azúcar (sugar skulls) are also left on altars. These are mainly for children that have passed and can be accompanied by toys. The skulls are very brightly decorated to celebrate the circle of life.

Day of the Dead is mostly celebrated in Mexico and South/Central America. Recently, it has become popular among Latino communities everywhere, including in the United States. Of course, wonderful people, such as Mr. Garcia, have brought their culture with them to the U.S.. He decided to share this culture with us because,“There’s an opportunity to grow and teach a school of how we are and expand their culture and what they know.”