Very strange and curious is the Dia de Los Muertos, unless you are of some of the Central or South American cultures.  Observed on November 2nd, with exhibits and events beginning in October and continuing through the middle of November; Día De Los Muertos is a colorful flurry of traditional and contemporary festivities celebrating ancestral remembrance, and harvest season rituals from Central Mexican indigenous cultures.

Organized since 1978 by Centro Cultural Aztlán -with altars and exhibits on display all over the city, Día De Los Muertos is a mainstay of San Antonio’s folklore and its cultural heritage.  It is all about honoring loved ones who have passed from this life.

“More than 500 years ago, when the Spanish Conquistadors landed in what is now Mexico, they encountered natives practicing a ritual that seemed to mock death.

It was a ritual the indigenous people had been practicing at least 3,000 years. A ritual the Spaniards would try unsuccessfully to eradicate.

A ritual known today as Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead.

The ritual is celebrated in Mexico and certain parts of the United States, including the Valley.

Celebrations are held each year in Mesa, Chandler, San Antonio, San Diego, Guadalupe and at Arizona State University. Although the ritual has since been merged with Catholic theology, it still maintains the basic principles of the Aztec ritual, such as the use of skulls.  Today, people don wooden skull masks called calacas and dance in honor of their deceased relatives. The wooden skulls are also placed on altars that are dedicated to the dead. Sugar skulls, made with the names of the dead person on the forehead, are eaten by a relative or friend, according to Mary J. Adrade, who has written three books on the ritual.

The Aztecs and other Meso-American civilizations kept skulls as trophies and displayed them during the ritual. The skulls were used to symbolize death and rebirth.

The skulls were used to honor the dead, whom the Aztecs and other Meso-American civilizations believed came back to visit during the month long ritual.”

Documented video images of some of the Mexico celebration may be seen online. 

Observed on November 2nd, with exhibits and events beginning in October and

continuing through the middle of November; Día De Los Muertos is a colorful flurry of traditional and contemporary festivities celebrating ancestral remembrance, and harvest season rituals from Central Mexican indigenous cultures.  One can see the focus easily with altars and exhibits on display all over the city, Día De Los Muertos is a mainstay of San Antonio’s folklore and its cultural heritage.

When:

November 2, 2006

Where:

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

2202 Roosevelt Ave.

San Antonio, TX

What:

 Held at the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, Dia de lost Muertos will encompass two days of celebration. Create paper marigolds, fake skulls and skeleton puppets, while celebrating in all that loved ones past cherished. This is a great way to remember family and friends who are no longer around, and truly be able to come to grips with the circle of life

Where:  Lubbock Texas Tech

(806) 742-3825 ext. 255 or tina.fuentes@ttu.edu

(806) 742-2974 or jane.bell@ttu.edu.

• Where:  Houston - MECA Day of the Dead Festival: Honoring
  Our Past, Celebrating Our Future
• 
  Edinburg and the Brownsville Heritage Museum both have Dia de los Muertos events planned. ...

(713) 802-9370, www.meca-houston.org

Tech photo credit

UTSAToday photo credit

Fullerton Education photo credit

University of Texas photo credit

El Centro Cultural De Mexico photo credit

Happy Traveling