Day of the Dead, or El Día de los Muertos, is a traditional Latin American holiday celebrating the lives of loved ones who have passed away. Originating in Mexico, the holiday has since spread across much of Latin America and among those of Mexican heritage in the United States. The holiday, generally celebrated from the evening of October 31 through November 2, is a joyous one, with many distinctive traditions and symbols. These include altars containing ofrendas, a collection of offerings that contain the deceased’s favorite food, flowers, and more. Traditional foods include Sugar skulls (calaveras) and sweet bread (pan de muerto). Each family's altar is filled with vibrant colors and decorations, often matching family members' colorful costumes; some even wear skull masks in commemoration of the day.
Library Assistant Marlú Abarca says that growing up, her family would travel to Mexico for the holiday. It helped her connect with relatives she never knew. “I remember heading to the cemetery where my grandfather was buried,” says Abarca. She said they would dust and sweep inside the above-ground grave site before beginning the celebrations. They set out flowers, listened to his favorite music, and ate his favorite food.
“This was a really nice way for me to get to know my grandpa, since he passed away before I was born,” says Abarca. “Some of us cried, but it was mostly a celebratory occasion, where many told funny stories about him and shared good memories. Now, he and my grandma both sit on my altar, and ofrendas for them include my grandma's favorite chocolates, Ferrero Rocher, and Carlos V chocolate for my grandpa.”
The library has several Día de los Muertos events at our branches this week. These crafts will give families a chance to learn more about Day of the Dead. For a full listing of events at the library this week, go to dmpl.org/events.
- Day of the Dead Luminaries: Oct. 28 – Nov. 2, all day, Franklin Avenue Library. Create your own skull lamp in memory of your friends and relatives who have passed away.
- Kids Craft Day – Day of the Dead Suncatchers: Nov. 1, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., South Side Library. Create suncatchers to celebrate Día de Muertos. For ages 3 and up.
- Día de los Muertos Craft Day: Nov. 1, 10:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., East Side Library. Celebrate Día de los Muertos with scratch art skulls and other crafts while supplies last.
- Día de los Muertos Sugar Skull Crafts: Nov. 1, 4:30 p.m., North Side Library. Learn about Día de los Muertos and make a sugar skull craft to take home!
- Día de los Muertos Mask Craft: Nov. 2, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., Franklin Avenue Library. Learn about Día de los Muertos and make a sugar skull craft to take home!
- Crafternoon: Cut Paper Craft/Papel Picado: Nov. 3, 1:00 – 5:00 p.m., Central Library. Create a colorful papel picado, a traditional Día de los Muertos paper craft.
Last Modified November 22, 2024