Day of the Dead: It’s Not the Mexican Halloween

An important tradition in Mexican folklore, yet one that’s infamous in America.

By Alessandra Benitez

For anyone who’s not of Mexican descent, the words “Day of the Dead” probably meant nothing until the Disney blockbuster “Coco.” Day of the Dead is one of the most important holidays for Mexican people, a tradition that started before the country was colonized and which has withstood countless centuries of political and social change. As someone who’s celebrated this holiday her whole life, it never occurred to me how strange this tradition may seem from the outside. After all, we’re celebrating death, or rather those who died. It’s about celebrating their lives; it’s about understanding that death doesn’t have to be the end of life but rather a continuation of it. Day of the Dead is certainly an affair to remember; each year families spend whole days in cemeteries bringing offerings to their deceased loved ones and preparing altars that range from 2 to 7 levels. And much like life itself, everything in the altar has a purpose for being there. Every single aspect of it is designed with your deceased in mind, all their favorite foods, flowers to guide them, candles to light their way, and salt to protect them. The altars are such a pivotal part of the holiday because they serve as both a lighthouse for the spirits of your loved ones and a tangible thing you can express this love in. For me, Day of the Dead will always be one of my favorite traditions, making an altar with all my loved ones favorite foods and things, having a party with my family, and most importantly: remembering. Life is oftentimes so hectic that we rarely allow ourselves rest times in which we can look back on those we’ve lost; that's why Day of the Dead offers us an opportunity to reflect on the things that have changed and allows us to express our grief in a fun and colorful way that makes it hurt just a little bit less.