JPG: Stories: Photo Essay: Dia de los Muertos

Dia de los Muertos

By Edd Scorpio

5 Nov 2008

Dia de los Muertos is often misunderstood by those unfamiliar with it's intent - and perhaps too familiar with the crass commercialization of Halloween.

Though this is largely a Mexican celebration, dating back to an Aztec festival dedicated to a goddess called Mictecacihuatl (known in English as "The Lady of the Dead") - it is nearly universal in it's meaning. It is a remembrance of those gone before - a celebration of the lives of our ancestors and families and how their lives affected and shaped ours. It is celebrated many ways in many cultures; for example the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (sah-wayne) is very similar and is one of the key origins of All Hallows Eve (Halloween). Traditions include building private altars honoring the deceased, sugar or papier mache skulls, marigolds, and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed, and visiting graves with these as gifts. Dance and song figure prominently as does making up one's face in a skull aspect; in our photo mine is more of a Baron Samedi (Voudon) aspect where Seika's is more traditionally Mexican.

Dia de los Muertos is traditionally November 1 & 2 - November 1 is Dia de los Innocentes - to honour and remember children and those who died before they had lived much life. These coincide with the Catholic holy days of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day.

The art that is created for this celebration is anything but morbid - bright, colourful, inventive...featuring Cempasuchitl, or flor de muerto (marigold flowers); the word comes from the Nahuatl (the language spoken by the Aztecs) and means twenty-flower, referring to the many petals of the flower and symbolizes the struggle and perseverance of life.

These artworks are made from various materials including clay, wire, papier mache and wood. The black, metallic looking substance is actually Oaxacan Black Clay - the pottery is placed in a kiln at ground level and baked for hours. The lack of oxygen to the fire produces a thick smoke of carbon and impregnates the clay to give it a wonderful colour. It's then polished, giving it a metallic look!

The spirit of the artists is imbued in their work and is a tribute to their families' memories...for only the body is impermanent - as long as we remember, their spirits never die.

This collection of photos was taken at an exhibit in Toronto, Ontario (Canada) at the Gardiner Museum.