Día de los Muertos: Mexico's tradition conquers Ebersberg!

Día de los Muertos: Mexico's tradition conquers Ebersberg!

A very special event will be celebrated in Ebersberg near Munich on November 9th: Áurea Enríquez, who has lived in Germany for almost 30 years, will bring the traditional “Day of the Dead” closer. This holiday, also known as “Día de los Muertos,” is one of the most important celebrations in Mexico and is celebrated from October 31st to November 2nd. The South German reports that preparations for such an event begin in mid-October in order to properly receive the souls of the deceased.

This year, for the first time, Enríquez built an altar in her living room based on the traditions of “Día de los Muertos.” At the altar there are food, drinks and memorabilia intended for the deceased relatives. Typical symbols of the holiday include calaveras - the famous sugar skulls, which are used not only as a sweet treat but also as decoration. These elements give the festival a joyful but respectful atmosphere as the souls of the departed return to celebrate with their families on the night of November 1st and 2nd.

A festival full of traditions

The “Day of the Dead” has its roots in the ancient customs of the Aztecs, who gave a special place to the spirits of their ancestors. This tradition was influenced by the Spanish missionaries who made an attempt to abolish the festival. Instead, it was mixed up with the Solemnity of All Saints. Nowadays, the holiday is celebrated as a folk festival, with streets and shops decorated with colorful flowers, skulls and images of the Calavera Catrina. Wikipedia highlights that the cempasúchil, a bright orange flower, is considered a signpost for the deceased.

Another highlight of the celebration is eating and drinking together in the cemeteries, where the living and the dead come together. This occasion not only brings back memories but also celebrates Mexico's cultural identity. The celebrations end at midnight when the souls of the dead return to the afterlife.

Is there a threat of cultural mixing?

Despite the relevance of Día de los Muertos, this traditional holiday competes with the customs of commercial Halloween imported from North America. This has led to traditional celebrations being increasingly threatened. This makes it all the more important to raise awareness of the cultural background and encourage the community in Ebersberg to become part of this colorful tradition. SpanishDict reminds us that “día” is the Spanish term for “day”, which underlines the importance of this special celebration.

On November 9th it will be shown how important it is to preserve such traditions today and to pass on knowledge about them. The Day of the Dead offers not only an opportunity to remember, but also to celebrate Mexico's vibrant culture, which preserves a piece of identity through its symbols and customs.