Día de los Muertos: A celebration of life & death

Have you ever watched Pixar’s iconic film, Coco? Then, you’ll surely remember colourful Calaveras (skulls) and Calacas (skeletons), masked parades, and Ofrendas (home altars). Welcome to one of the world’s most emblematic festivities – the Día de los Muertos. Don’t let its name trick you! This holiday is a celebration of life; it’s not so much about mourning as it is about joy. 

By Giulia Daniele 

@sleeponthesofa

Despite occurring over the Halloween break (1^st and 2^nd November), this holiday stands for something entirely different. While Halloween embraces horror and mischief, the Día de los Muertos honours deceased family members and normalises death without fear or dread. It helps us connect with the departed and feel them close when we miss them the most.

The tradition is mainly observed in Mexico and Latin America, but it’s also spread in the US, so much so that UNESCO has added it to its Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list. The rituals and parades are rife with meaning and go back to Aztec times. These communities considered mourning disrespectful and death as intrinsic to life. The dead were alive in memory and spirit, and their legacy lived on – stronger than ever. 

The centrepiece of this holiday is the so-called Ofrendas – home altars bringing loved ones’ spirits back to life. They’re filled with offerings, from candles and flowers to family photos. Marigolds are a staple in almost every house, as they’re believed to guide wandering souls back to their resting places.

There’s plenty of food and drink, too! All-time classics include the pan de muerto, a typical sweet bread with anise seeds and sugar skulls in endless shapes and patterns. Pulque (a beverage made from agave sap) and Atole (a warm porridge made from corn flour) are widely consumed beverages.

But the atmosphere makes the Día de los Muertos a unique celebration. Parades fill the streets day and night with people dressed up as skeletons, featuring all sorts of make-up. It is a joyful party for the alive and the departed because we can’t forget that life and death are intrinsic parts of our being.  

The festivity highlights the importance of feeling connected with our loved ones even if they can’t be physically present. We have all lost a significant person, grieved, pressed pause on life, and started again. It’s always difficult to let go, and memories make it all the harder. But they also fill us with hope and give us the strength to move forward. 

This is also true when we travel. Have you ever felt guilty, sad or frustrated about being away from your family and friends? Keeping relationships alive at a distance is a lot of effort. You can’t just knock on your best friend’s door and go for a stroll together. You need to make time to call them, but it can be challenging when everyone’s life is busy. 

Travelling is so empowering and freeing, but it can be lonely at times, too. I have long lived under the illusion that it would get easier to say goodbye. That it would become a habit, almost a ritual. I never understand how much I miss everything I have at home until I return. Then I am hit with a thousand possibilities, and as much as I love my life abroad, home just feels different. 

So, when I head to the airport and wave goodbye to my parents, tears just crowd my face. It’s almost automatic, and I surrender. Living away from them will never get easier; that’s my truth. It’ll always be a little painful, and I need to be okay with it. 

This is why celebrations like the Día de los Muertos should never cease. They shed light on how essential it is to feel connected at all times, no matter the circumstances. To feel the people you love with an open heart. Because you don’t know how much time you’ll spend with them or if life will set you apart. 

The situations might differ, but the principle is the same: enjoy every minute, and remember that even if they are not there to hold you tight, their memories will set you free even at your lowest points. 

As Coco says – ‘Remember me, though I have to say goodbye. Remember me, don’t let it make you cry. For even if I’m far away, I hold you in my heart. I sing a secret song to you each night we are apart.’

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