OCEANSIDE–Hundreds of visitors gathered at Mission San Luis Rey Oct. 30 for the 11th annual Mexican Day of the Dead, also known as Dia de los Muertos, a festive holiday remembering deceased loved ones.
The celebration is traditionally celebrated on November 1 and 2. It’s a holiday with a complex history and fusion of old traditions dating back thousands of years.
The Mesoamericans believed that during this time of year, the boundaries that separate the living and dead weaken and that the deceased could visit the living. Instead of fearing death, the people embrace it.
In honor of deceased loved ones, families build altars at home or at the graveside. The altar consists of four levels and four sides, representing the four stages of life. The altars are filled with bread, sugar, bananas, toys, gifts, photos of the deceased, gifts, milk, beans, apples and nuts, skeletons, corn flowers, a glass of water, candles, incense, yellow marigold, and other personal items.
Today, Oaxacan and Michoacan immigrants continue the tradition, which is observed in many cities across the nation.
[podcast format=”video”]https://sandiegocountynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Dia-de-los-Muertos.flv[/podcast]Dia de los Muertos
