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| La Petite Mort |
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The Day of The Dead
Her face
is unforgettable and she goes by many names: La Catrina, la Flaca, la Huesuda,
la Pelona--Fancy Lady, Skinny, Bony, Baldy. A fixture in Mexican society, she's
not some trendy fashion model, but La Muerte--Death.
Renowned
writer Octavio Paz observes that, undaunted by death, the Mexican has no qualms
about getting up close and personal with death, noting that he "...chases
after it, mocks it, courts it, hugs it, sleeps with it; it is his favorite
plaything and his most lasting love."
November
1, All Saints Day, and November 2, All Souls Day are marked throughout Mexico
by a plethora of intriguing customs that vary widely according to the ethnic
roots of each region. Common to all, however, are colorful adornments and lively
reunions at family burial plots, the preparation of special foods, offerings
laid out for the departed on commemorative altars and religious rites that are
likely to include noisy fireworks.
In most
localities November 1 is set aside for remembrance of deceased infants and
children, often referred to as angelitos (little angels). Those
who have died as adults are honored November 2.
From
mid-October through the first week of November, markets and shops all over
Mexico are replete with the special accouterments for the Dia de Muertos (Day
of the Dead). These include all manner of skeletons and other macabre toys;
intricate tissue paper cut-outs called papel picado; elaborate wreaths and
crosses decorated with paper or silk flowers; candles and votive lights; and
fresh seasonal flowers, particularly cempazuchiles (marigolds) and barro de
obispo (cockscomb). Among the edible goodies offered are skulls, coffins and
the like made from sugar, chocolate or amaranth seeds and special baked goods,
notably sugary sweet rolls called pan de muerto that come in various sizes
invariably topped with bits of dough shaped like bones and, in some regions,
unadorned dark breads molded into humanoid figures called animas (souls). All
of these goods are destined for the buyer's ofrenda de muertos (offering to the
dead).
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