12/13/2022 0 Comments Dia de los muertos altar target![]() ![]() The colonial eraĪs Day of the Dead became a more popular and elaborate festival in Mexico, the associated commercial activity grew in size. Additionally, they could pay their local priest to say special prayers for the souls during Día de los Muertos, a practice that remained in effect through the 20th century. In Mexico that meant Spanish colonizers and newly converted Indigenous Catholics were tasked with purchasing directly from the church candles and other religious items that could be used in offerings to those souls in purgatory. This could be done through prayer or by making offerings to the souls. It was the responsibility of the living to help alleviate the suffering of souls in purgatory and assist them in getting to heaven. According to 16th- and 17th-century Catholic belief, the majority of souls landed in purgatory after death, rather than heaven or hell. The Catholic religion also emphasized commercial activity in relation to All Saints and All Souls Day. The religious feasts supported the market and vice versa. In this respect, there wasn’t much distinction between commercial and religious activity. Sahagún noted the overwhelming bustle and financial activity that took place at the market in the capital city of Tenochtitlán, modern-day Mexico City, during the Aztec ritual feasts.Īll manner of foods and goods were sold to citizens to celebrate the Aztec feasts of the dead. Duran wrote in the 1570s that he was astounded to see how lavishly the Aztecs spent on supplies for their offerings to the dead. ![]() 2.Įarly Spanish chroniclers in Mesoamerica such as Diego Duran andīernardino Sahagún documented the Aztec feasts for the dead known as Miccailhuitontli and Huey Miccailhuitl. During Mexico’s 300-year-long colonial period, which started in 1521, these Indigenous rituals were merged with the Spanish Catholic holy days for the dead known as All Saints, celebrated on Nov. ![]() The bottom line is that Día de los Muertos and its associated imagery, skulls and skeletons have become trendy and a prime opportunity for companies to make a profit.īut as a researcher of culture and performance, I know only too well that the truth is Day of the Dead has always been commodified.ĭay of the Dead is what anthropologist Hugo Nutini calls a syncretic holiday, meaning it’s a cultural product of two different religious traditions that hybridized during the European colonization of the Americas.ĭay of the Dead brings together the annual feasts for the dead celebrated by pre-Hispanic Indigenous cultures such as the Aztec, Maya, Zapotec and Mixtec peoples. Disney famously tried to trademark “Día de los Muertos” before its 2017 film “Coco.” The examples go on and on. California and Arizona sell Day of the Dead lottery tickets. Halloween stores sell Day of the Dead costumes. The holiday aisles of Target are stuffed with cheap Day of the Dead crafts during October. Indeed, for those who hold the holiday sacred, it’s jarring to see the extent to which it’s now mass-marketed. Thanks to Leticia and her daughter, as well as Jasmine and these two beautiful catrinas for allowing me to take and present their pictures.As a Mexican-American who celebrates Día de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead, at the end of October and beginning of November, I’ve noted an increasing concern the past several years that the holiday is becoming more commercialized. The was a line, but the results were well worth it. The kids had a blast with games and prizes.īut without a doubt the Catrina Salon was the most popular activity, at least while I was there. There were flowers, papel picado, calacas, Catrinas, a gigantic Altar de Muertos and lots of people dancing! ![]() It was a wonderful combination of Halloween and Day of the Dead with tons of activities for the whole family.ĭecorating sugar skulls and pumpkins is always fun. In celebration of Day of the Dead, let me share some pictures I took last night at a fun event organized by Target in Los Angeles at LA Live. You can also check out these Mexican Altares de Muerto, and a wonderful photo essay featuring the flowers of Day of the Dead, with photos taken by my son from our visit to a cemetery on Day of the Dead in Mexico. If you are looking for something to do, check out these 7 ideas for things to do with your kids here. Today is Day of the Dead, the colorful celebration when we remember our departed. As always, my comments, opinions, and love for celebrating Day of the Dead are my own. Thanks to the great folks at Target for underwriting this post. ![]()
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