BY MIKE CETERA
Today is All Souls Day, a remembrance of sorts in the Catholic Church. It's also the final day observing a Mexican tradition, Dia de los Muertos or Day of the Dead.
From mexonline.com:
Every year, on November 1st (All Saints Day) and 2nd (All Souls Day), something unique takes place in many areas of Mexico: Day of the Dead festivities. While it's strange for most of us to accept the fact that "death" and "festivities" can go hand-in-hand, for most Mexicans, the two are intricately entwined. This all stems from the ancient indigenous peoples of Mexico (Purepecha, Nahua, Totonac and OtomÃ) who believed that the souls of the dead return each year to visit with their living relatives - to eat, drink and be merry. Just like they did when they were living.
The "celebration" dates back thousands of years.
I'm curious if many people locally observe this holiday, which can be elaborate or simple.
In rural Mexico, people visit the cemetery where their loved ones are buried. They decorate gravesites with marigold flowers and candles. They bring toys for dead children and bottles of tequila to adults. They sit on picnic blankets next to gravesites and eat the favorite food of their loved ones.
The Arizona Republic (via poynter.org) has an extensive explanation of the history and customs associated with Day of the Dead.
Locally, Aurora University will host a Day of the Dead exhibit, featuring photos, Bread of the Dead,
candles and other mementos, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. today at Aurora University's Dunham Hall lobby, 1400 Marseillaise Place, Aurora. The display is free to the public.
I haven't heard of much else going on, which is surprising considering the area's large Hispanic population. Has this tradition been lost among the Fox Valley's immigrants and the generations of their families born here?
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