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The origins of Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) can be traced thousands of years to indigenous peoples such as the Aztecs, Mayans, and the Toltecs, for whom death was not the end of one’s existence but simply another chapter of life. Día de Muertos offers us an opportunity to honor and celebrate the lives of the deceased.
The following article by Nadra Nittle addresses the importance of learning the origins of Day of the Dead, how different cultures have observed death in particular ways, and how gaining a deeper understanding of this celebration may help address cultural appropriation issues.
To learn more: Beyond Sugar Skulls: The History and Culture of Dia de los Muertos
Altarista Ofelia Esparza
“Scholars have couched the significance of Mexican-American women's home altars in terms of both ethnic heritage and women's culture, noting that the altar-making tradition is linked directly to the practice of inventing sacred personal sites and folk arts, such as corridos, communal jokes, and foods made of 'bits and pieces.' Altaristas have employed a conscious strategy to fashion an art of survival and beauty for a people whose culture continues to struggle against domination or appropriation.”
Home Altars by Teresa Palomo Acosta (1995)
(Farida Jhabvala Romero /KQED)
The RESOURCES page offers access to more information about remembrance and healing from grief.
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