Than the day of the dead different from Halloween

Than the day of the dead different from Halloween

There are still many Americans who’ve never heard of Día de los Muertos (or Day of the dead), and many of those who heard, in fact, know very little about it called «Mexican Halloween».

Halloween and day of the Dead share common roots, but they are completely different holidays.

One of the main differences lies in the fact that Halloween is only one night, whereas the day of the Dead is actually a three-day event, which starts on October 31. Halloween — eve of all saints Day, a Catholic holiday dedicated to saints and martyrs, celebrated on November 2.

Attributes of Halloween, e.g. costumes of ghosts, witches, vampires and other evil spirits playing on our fear of death and the unknown. Day of the dead focuses on death. But instead consider it as something dark and terrible, day of the dead live laugh in the face of death. This idea suggests dancing and laughing skulls and skeletons. Even in this holiday people commemorate the dead loved ones, they do not mourn, but celebrate the sweet memories associated with them.

Than the day of the dead different from Halloweendepositphotos

«Day of the dead — day of the communication, memory and love of those who have left, said Kristin Norget, author of the book Days of Death, Days of Life: Ritual in the Popular Culture of Oaxaca, Halloween is completely devoid of this important aspect».

It is believed that the Day of the dead — this is the time when spirits of ancestors return to the world of the living to visit their descendants.

«Halloween has nothing to do with the ancestors, says Stanley Brandes, Professor of anthropology at the University of California at Berkeley — the day of the dead is based on the connection of the living with dead relatives».

From 31 October to 2 November, people across Mexico clean graves of relatives and decorate them with colourful flowers, candles and things that the deceased loved in life (often it’s food, coffee, alcohol and tobacco). They spend the night in the cemetery and hold vigils at the grave of a relative.

Another common tradition is the construction of a home altar that includes pictures and what the person loved in life. This is especially true for those who have no opportunity to visit the grave.

Than the day of the dead different from Halloweendepositphotos

The celebration of Day of the Dead in Mexico is becoming brighter and bigger. Brandes believes that the popularity of the occasion owes the Mexican government, which is trying to encourage a loud and exciting parades. Part of the promotion of the festival due to the desire to attract more tourists, but also due to the need to create a unique Mexican identity. The popularity of Día de los Muertos is growing rapidly in the United States.

Than the day of the dead different from Halloweendepositphotos

According to the materials USAToday

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