Halloween & Day of the Dead
During the end of the month of October in the United States you might see people walking around in costumes of different paranormal creatures, also you will see different decorations such as jack-o-lanterns, ghosts, and witches and such. But if you walk around Mexico you will see people all around the cemetery and using skeletons decorations to worship their lost ones and help them get to the afterlife. Halloween is non-religious holiday unlike Day of the Dead it is perceived as a religious holiday.
Day of the Dead is celebrated in two days instead of two months for the Mexicans
Celebrating The Day of the Dead has a long history in Mexican Tradition. The Day of the dead is celebrated on November 2nd. Sometime one hears reference to “the days of the Dead” which refers to the Days of October 31 – November 2. October 31 is Halloween or All Hallows eve. November 1 is “el Dia de los innnocentes” or the day of the children and All Saints Day. November second is All Souls Day or the Day of the Dead. (unm.edu).
Most of the day is spent at the graveyard maintaining their loved ones grave and worshiping them. They believe that this celebration will help their deceased loved ones pass onto a happy and more successful afterlife. “The rituals used to celebrate the day are varied and colorful. Yet, all carry the same message, celebrating the day of the dead is a true celebration of life. (UNM.edu)”. The people that celebrate this holiday decorate the gravestone of the loved ones that passed away. “Food placed on the altar consists of the loved ones favorite dishes and treats. Drinks should be placed in the altar to quench the thirst of the dead after their long journey back home. In many villages it is customary to offer alcoholic beverages (unm.edu)”.
Halloween is a holiday celebrated by the American’s it is taken from the ancient Celtic holiday Samhain were they offered candy for the spirits so they wouldn’t haunt there houses and...