A long, long, long time ago... when I was still an architecture student, I made a wonderful trip to Mexico to visit my sister who was doing an Erasmus stay there.
During this trip I was able to discover a bit of Mexican food culture and what I still have today is the memory of a profusion of life and colors.
That's why, as Halloween approaches, I can't help but compare these parties that honor the dead but in a totally different way!
El Dia de los Muertos , is a Mexican national holiday that celebrates the dead in a profusion of joy and color . 🥳
Have you ever seen skulls painted with flowers and full of colors?
This inspired me to paint a watercolor of a skull like the traditional ones for this Mexican holiday . Obviously my daughter came to look at the result and asked me lots of questions. Which I couldn't answer....
So if you also intend to color this Mexican head with your children (and to look good in the face of their questions) I will give you a short summary of what I discovered below. ⬇️
What is the tradition of el Dia de los Muertos?
Every year Mexican families erect altars in honor of deceased loved ones.
The entire foyer (interior and exterior) is decorated and decorated with flowers in honor of traveling souls.
Cut-out paper ( papel picado ), skulls and sugar ( calaveras ) or mezcal and cooked dishes (often the favorites of the deceased whose memory is honored) take place on the altars.
When do we celebrate Dia de los Muertos?
The night of October 31 to November 1 is dedicated to “ angelitos ” (dead children).
The morning of November 1 is dedicated to the “ angelitos ” breakfast. It is then for the adults that new offerings are placed on the altars.
On November 2, during the commemoration of the deceased, Mexicans go from one cemetery to another throwing flower petals to guide the souls to the graves.
On the last day, the party moves to the cemetery : families and loved ones gather there for a banquet in the company of the souls of the deceased who can join them on this day to be cherished, pampered, sung and finally accompanied when the party is over. .
Here, in pictures, the drawing of my Mexican skulls:
