Members of IWC, divided into small groups because of Covid-19 regulations, were privileged on November 3rd to attend a presentation of Altar of the Day of the Dead, celebrated in Mexico on the 1st and 2nd of November. Our host was Eunhai Kim, the spouse of the ambassador of Mexico.
As our host explained to us, this is not the spooky, gloomy, or sad event dedicated to deceased people as it is in most countries, especially in countries with the Christian tradition. It is a very colorful celebration when people remember loved ones who passed away. According to the tradition, which is more than 3000 years old, the physical body dies but the soul stays and comes to visit the loved ones once a year on the given days.
The central belief behind the celebration of the Day of the Dead is that at night, the spirits of the departed come back home to reunite with their families and friends. The families prepare offerings for them, such as the food they used to love. Usually there are different types of beans, corn, rice, salt, fruit like oranges, apples, drinks, water or tequila, and music.
It is a common belief that offerings should include components that evoke the four elements: water, earth, wind and fire. At the exhibition/presentation the room was filled with items in beautiful bright colors representing these four elements. There was also the famous La Catrina. According to urban legend, La Catrina's roots come from Aztec death goddess Mictecacihuatl. In the legend, the goddess served the same purpose as La Catrina does today: to honor and protect those who have passed and to symbolize the relationship Mexicans have with death. She is a very recognizable female skeleton wearing a fancy hat with feathers. We also saw the sugar skulls, each representing a departed soul. Most of the items and figures at the presentation, including La Catrina, were made personally by the spouse of the Mexican ambassador Eunhai Kim.
We also watched a short fim explaining the event as it is celebrated in Mexico. Our host gave us a sample of their special Day of the Dead bread and a cup of hot Mexican cocoa.
