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Los Dias De Los Muertos

Celebrating the Mexican Holiday in Old Mesilla, NM

by Dave Shultz

Los Dias de los Muertos, or the Days of the Dead, is a traditional Mexican holiday that honors the dead. From around mid October through the first week of November, all over Mexico, shops are filled with the special accouterments for the Dia de Muertos.  The tradition is celebrated just about anywhere there is a substantial Hispanic population as there is here in New Mexico.  Mesilla, New Mexico is a very old community on the edge of Las Cruces in the south central part of the state.  It's heritage, culture and architecture are closely tied to Mexico so the Day of the Dead is widely celebrated here.

The festivities include all manner of skeletons that are shown dancing and singing; detailed tissue paper cut-outs called papel picado; candles and votive lights to help the departed find there way;  wreaths and crosses decorated with paper or silk flowers;  and fresh seasonal flowers, particularly cempazuchiles (marigolds) and barro de obispo (cockscomb).  Edible goodies offered to the dead are skulls and coffins made from sugar or chocolate and special baked goods, especially sugary sweet rolls called pan de muerto that come in various sizes and topped with bits of dough shaped like bones. All of these goods are destined for the buyer's ofrenda de muertos (offering to the dead).

Elaborate altars are constructed by family members and decorated with everything above as well as things that held an important place in the life of the departed.  Music, particularly well liked foods, hobbies and even alcohol and cigarettes might adorn the altar.  Deceased children are provided with toys as well as sweets.

The spirits of the dead are believed to come home for a visit on this holiday and the repast is laid out for them to provide sustenance for the journey.  Traditionally the altars are set up at home but in Mesilla, the Plaza is converted for the celebration and altars are erected among food and gift vendors.  Musicians play festive music as children run and play among the skeletons.  Vendors and visitors alike have faces painted in black and white to resemble the dead.

Altars are not only erected for relatives that have passed on but for sometimes for pets and even celebrities.  This year, there was an altar to a deceased piranha fish as well as Elvis, Frank Sinatra, Billy the Kid and Selena.  Franks altar was complete with his favorite brand of booze and cigarettes.

Los Dias de los Muertos is not for sorrow and sadness but to celebrate the good times and to remember the happiness shared in the past.  Take a day off and dance with the departed.  You'll be glad you did.

Glossary for the Day of the Dead

• alfenique - a special confection used to fashion skulls, fruits and other figures.
• angelitos - the souls of the children who have died, literally "little angels"
• atole - an ancient drink made from corn meal and water flavored with various fruits.
• calvera - a skull, also a slang term for "daredevil"
• calveras - songs and poems about the festival
• careta -a face mask
• cempazuchitl - a yellow marigold, the symbol of death
• copalli - a scented resin used to make candles
• mole - a thick sauce made from a variety of ingredients including chilis, sesame seeds, herbs, spices, chocolate/fruit.
• ofrenda - an offering, refers to the goods set out on the altars
• pan de los muertos - bread of the dead

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