Introduction
The Day of the Dead in Mexico is a celebration that ignites the senses, offering an enchanting experience filled with sights, sounds, and scents that honor the departed. Rooted in pre-Hispanic cultures, this tradition has seamlessly blended with contemporary Mexican culture, creating a vibrant tapestry of sensory delights. In this blog post, we embark on a sensory journey through Mexico’s Day of the Dead, where cempasuchil flowers and copal incense fill the air, evoking the past and paying tribute to ancestors.
Scents that Guide the Departed
The aroma of the cempasuchil flowers and burning copal incense is at the heart of the Day of the Dead. The native cempasuchil, whose name means “flower of 20 petals” in the Náhuatl language, exudes a fragrance so powerful that it’s almost audible. Verenice Arenazas, a young woman who transitioned from a corporate HR job to her family’s traditional flower field, describes the scent as nature’s proclamation: “Here I am, look at me.”
This year, in Xochimilco, the famed canal-crossed southern borough of Mexico City, Arenazas’ family nurtured 17,000 cempasuchil plants. These vibrant flowers, both selectively bred for their potent fragrance and genetically modified, symbolize the sweet, fresh, and honest work of dedicated farmers. They also embody a sense of Mexican pride and devotion to tradition.
The Offering of Food
Food is a symbol of Mother Earth and plays a significant role in traditional Day of the Dead altars. Even the sweetest bread, flavored with orange blossom, holds a curious origin. Some researchers suggest that it was prepared by mixing honey and human blood as an offering to the gods. Others argue that Spanish colonizers, alarmed by human sacrifices in Mexico, created a bread dipped in sugar and painted red to symbolize a heart.
Today, altars include special spots for the deceased’s favorite food and drink. This unique offering takes on a profound meaning as it’s believed that the dead return to savor the essence of these offerings. Gerardo Ramírez, sharing his personal experience, recalls a poignant story where his family placed his uncle’s body on the dining table until the coffin arrived, uniting the living and the dead in a final meal.
Crafting Altars and “Papel Picado”
Preparing an altar is an art form and a source of immense pleasure for many Mexicans. Altars feature an array of handcrafted elements, from papier-mâché skeletons to alebrijes, imaginative animal figures. An essential component of these altars is “papel picado,” which consists of very thin sheets of colored paper cut into intricate designs.
In some places, “papel picado” is meticulously crafted with a hammer and chisel, as seen in the workshop of Yuriria Torres, located south of Mexico City. Torres, who insists on handcrafting the designs without stencils or laser cutters, likens the process to sculpting a work of art. The origin of this craft is a subject of debate among researchers, but its significance is undisputed—it symbolizes the union between life and death.
Sounds and Music Over the Graves
While some older Mexicans recall the murmur of prayers characterizing the Day of the Dead, today, mariachi music serenades the decorated tombs in many cemeteries. In this rich tradition, people with the means might bring a group of musicians to the cemetery to toast with their departed loved ones and listen to their favorite songs. But, as José García, a 60-year-old shoe shiner points out, the power of music transcends economic divides. Some families bring their recordings or even play their own horns to honor their loved ones.
A Celebration of Cultural Syncretism
Mexico’s Day of the Dead is a remarkable visual spectacle that embodies cultural syncretism. It’s more than just a feast for the senses; it’s a profound tribute to those who have passed away, ensuring their souls continue to thrive in memory.
Bright orange cempasuchil flowers, the black of the underworld, purple representing Catholic faith, red symbolizing warriors, and white honoring children are some of the vibrant colors that adorn Day of the Dead altars. Remembrance extends beyond the individual to the collective, with some altars commemorating broader political and cultural themes.
In essence, Mexico’s Day of the Dead is about immersing oneself in the offering, connecting with the past, and transcending the limitations of the senses. As Gerardo Ramírez poignantly notes, it’s not something that can be entirely explained—it’s something in the very DNA of those who experience this magnificent celebration from the moment of their birth.
Conclusion
Mexico’s Day of the Dead is a multi-sensory celebration that engages sight, smell, taste, and sound to connect with the past and honor loved ones. The scents of cempasuchil flowers and copal incense, the flavors of traditional foods, and the visual spectacle of altars and “papel picado” come together to create a cultural experience that words alone cannot capture. As this extraordinary tradition continues to flourish, it serves as a poignant reminder that our connection to the past is rooted in our senses and traditions.
Image Source: Google
