Pan de Muertos
For Everyone
Día de los Muertos is a Mexican holiday where people remember loved ones who have died. Although it has some elements of All Saints Day celebrations that happen in Spain and other Latin American countries, Día de los Muertos has strong ties to the Aztec Heritage of Mexico. For example, the belief that the smell of cempasúchil, or Mexican marigolds, will awaken the souls of the dead is a distinctly Aztec belief and can be seen in the use of marigold garlands that people use to decorate for Día de los Muertos. Día de los Muertos is a big celebration that involves festivals and large community events, as well as smaller family visits to gravesites and private altars set up inside homes that honor deceased loved ones.
The altars, or ofrendas, are not only a way to remember the dead but also a way to show affection to visiting spirits. Since many believe these spirits can return at this time of year, creating a pleasing altar will invite loved ones to visit for a while. While in America, our Halloween celebrations focus on the spooky side of ghosts, that is not what Día de los Muertos is about. Instead, it is focused on people having an opportunity to honor and connect with loved ones who have died and are missed.
Ofrendas typically have decorations, like the marigold garlands we mentioned before. They might also be decorated with candles, Papel Picado (paper flags with decorative cut-outs), and items the deceased loved one enjoyed They also have pictures of the deceased and food or drinks that they enjoyed in life. One common food item is this Pan de Muerto, which means bread of the dead. This sweet bread is usually shaped like bones and is flavored with orange zest or anise. People will eat this bread and remember their loved ones.
