Day of The Dead , No it just isn't a Halloween costume.

Halloween was yesterday, and with that came a lot of costumes. So many different costumes that people wore and had fun with. When I write this post I want people to be informed, and to let them know. I am not here to bash anyone , for wearing a day of the dead costume. I just want people to know the historical thought behind it. Its been a recent trend , for stores to group both holiday's day of the dead. And Halloween together , their decorations are on the same shelf's and somehow people think of them as the same thing. 

Day of the Dead or rather El Dia de los Muertos , is a special Holiday that is celebrated after Halloween on November 1st. The day after Halloween , this originated from tradition in mexico to celebrate and be with loved ones that have passed on. Celebrate their time on earth , This is usually celebrated with food , and drinks and parades . And alters that are usually made up at a families home to celebrate those who have passed on. They usually start decorating these before November 1st. What I love about my culture is the fact how colorful we can be when it comes to celebrating. 

Apart from building and eating and celebrating those who have passed . It has also been a tradition to , go and visit and decorate graves of those passed. With the hopes that they may , come and visit those who are still living. Graves are usually decorated with ornaments and items of those who have passed. Sometimes they may leave food , and other small items in hopes that they may receive a visit from a loved one. Apart from this as well many observe and follow the craft route and decorate sugar skulls in honor of those who have passed.
This is not only a one day celebration it is rather two days, November 1st and November 2nd. One day the 2nd is usually reserved for kids who have passed. And to be celebrated, along with adults as well. It is quoted that " Dia de los Muertos can be traced back to the Aztecs who celebrated with a festival for the goddess of the underworld, Mictecacihuatl, and the Catholic Spanish conquistadors’ All Saints' and All Souls' days. Scholars have noted the indigenous cultures of Mexico honor the Lady of the Dead, the modern La Catrina, which many recognize today as a skeleton woman wearing a fancy hat.According to the legend, La Catrina was a selfish, greedy rich woman who did nothing to help the poor. Many now mock her every year by dressing in ornate garb, painting their faces white and detailing features to look like a caricature of a skeleton.The caricature associated with Dia de los Muertos today is based off of La Calavera Catrina, a painting by artist Jose Guadalupe Posada created between 1910 and 1913." 
I am now making it apart of celebrating and getting to know my Hispanic heritage more. Get closer to my roots and really knowing where I came from.