![]() This conspicuous -and perennial- guest is paradoxically also associated with the joy of life in the face of the imminence and inevitability of death. Death in Mexico is thought of as a welcome guest on certain very important occasions, such as the Day of the Dead, or ‘día de los fieles difuntos.’ As Mexicans, we believe that death, and specifically the memory of our ‘fieles difuntos,’ which literally means ‘our faithful deceased,’ gives us a strong sense of identity and rootedness in our culture. Generally, however, the relationship which the Mexican people have with La Catrina, is defined by a unique set of circumstances, intimately tied with the history and culture of Mexico. Sometimes she appears before us in ‘bare bones,’ to take us away when we least expect it. Sometimes she is dressed in a rather elaborate, festive way. "According to Mexican Folklore, ‘La Catrina’ -also known as death- can show herself in many different ways. Las Catrinas Tambien Bailan (Las Catrinas Can Dance Too) Plates of favorite foods, toys and sweets for little angels and departed loved-ones are the ofrendas (offerings) placed upon the altar. The altars are beautifully decorated tables containing photographs of beloved relatives, papel picado (decorative paper cuttings), candles, sugar skulls and marigolds. Its color represents the tones of earth, and it is used to guide souls and little angels to their homes and altars.įestive altars are built in homes to honor the deceased. Markets are filled with cempasúchil flowers, the orange marigold wild flower that the Aztecs used to remember their dead. La Flor Cempasúchil (The Marigold flower) She is considered “The First Mother of Mexico” and the quintessential victim from the Conquest of the New World. The historical figure of Malinalli has been intermixed with Aztec legends (such as La Llorona, the woman who weeps for her lost children). She was the slave, translator and lover of Hernán Cortés, the cruel conquistador of Mexico. Legend tells that Mallinali, “La Llorona,” was a Native princess from the Aztec empire who suffered the terrible condition of slavery during the Spanish conquest. Malinalli, La Llorona (The Weeping Woman) Even the Spanish tried to eradicate their religion, it is still the main practiced religion in Cuba and mayor part of the Caribbean islands. They are considered the Spirits of dead and life. The Orishas represent the seven tribes of Africa. The religion of the West African Yoruba people was forced underground by centuries of slavery in the Americas. The Aztec ritual for calling the Spirits of beloved families and friends who have passed away. Festivities were presided over by the goddess Mictecacihuatl, known as Lady of the Dead, who was believed to have died at birth.Ī traditional ritual from the tribes of Yaquis and Mayas in Mexico. Previously, El Día de los Muertos fell on the ninth month of the Aztec Solar Calendar, near the beginning of August, and was celebrated for the entire month. To make the ritual more "Christian," the Spaniards moved its date to coincide with All Saints’ Day on November 1st and All Souls’ Day on November 2nd. ![]() But like the old Aztec spirits, the ritual refused to die. In their attempts to convert the Aztecs to Catholicism, the Spaniards tried to eliminate the ritual. The Spaniards considered the ritual to be sacrilegious and perceived the indigenous people to be barbaric and pagan.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |