The Day of The Dead
Figure 1:General map showing location of Guatemala (http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/gt.html)
Abstract
Guatemala , like other Latin American countries, is rich in history, tradition, and heritage. El Dia de Los Muertos is an annual celebration that is an intricate part of the lives of people in Guatemala . Though The Day of the Dead is symbolically and literally associated with the dead, it is by no means a depressing time. Instead it is a celebration of life, happiness, color, food, family, and fun. The traditional actions and festivities that are practiced during this celebration demonstrate the respect, importance, and sacredness that the Guatemalan people have for their loved family and friends.
Rancherias
just outside Todos Santos (http://blue.utb.edu/paullgj/guatemala/todos_santos_cuchumatan.htm)
Road
climbing into Los Altos Cuchumatanes (http://blue.utb.edu/paullgj/guatemala/todos_santos_cuchumatan.htm)
Introduction
In Guatemala , like in many other Latin countries, the celebration of “El Dia de Los Muertos” is an esteemed annual tradition celebrating the deceased. Throughout this paper I will discuss both the history and heritage of Guatemala as a country. “El Dia de Los Muertos” is a celebration rich in tradition, culture, and importance to the people of Guatemala . Although, the “El Dia de Los Muertos” is associated with the dead, it is not portrayed as a depressing time; but instead a period full of life, happiness, color, food, family, and fun which exemplifies the culture and heritage of the Guatemalan people.
Context of Guatemala
Guatemala is a beautiful country located in Central America . It borders the North Pacific Ocean to the South and the Gulf of Honduras ( Caribbean Sea ) to the North East. The surrounding borders also exist in connection with El Salvador , Honduras , Belize , and Mexico . Guatemala is not a very large country by any means. The overall size of the country is calculated to be slightly smaller than Tennessee (Allrefer.com).
Guatemala is a very mountainous region (figure 2). The terrain consists of mainly mountains with narrow coastal plains (figure3). There is also an abundance of rolling limestone plateaus throughout the region. Volcanoes exist plentifully throughout these mountainous areas which pose as possible environmental hazards. Another threat for natural disaster includes occasional violent earthquakes. Due to the coastal location on the Caribbean, Guatemala is highly susceptible to hurricanes and other tropical storms (World Fact Book). Small amounts of rainforest exist throughout Guatemala 's mountainous regions. The country currently suffers from the deforestation within the Peten rainforest. Other environmental issues include soil erosion due to the mountainous terrain and water pollution. Guatemala 's climate is characterized as mostly tropical and hot. There is a high humidity level in the lowlands contrasted by cooler temperatures in the highlands. (figure 1: Rancherias outside of Todos Santos) (figure 2: road climbing into Los Altos Cuchumatanes)
Many fishing and farming villages existed on Guatemala 's Pacific coast as early as 2000 BC. These occupants came before the great Maya civilization which dominated Central America for many centuries. The Maya civilization flourished throughout Guatemala and its surrounding areas during the first millennium A.D. Guatemala existed as a Spanish colony for the exaggerated period of close to three centuries before winning its independence. Independence was finally granted in 1821. Throughout the later portion of the 20th century a variety of both military and civilian governments were in place. This experience combined with the existence of guerilla warfare which lasted for 36 years. This warfare created more than 1 million refugees and resulted in the death of over 100,000 people. An agreement of peace was signed by the government in 1996 ultimately ending this conflict. Guatemala currently operates under a constitutional democratic republic working towards establishing stability within a historically volatile nation.
Origins of El Dia De Los Muertos
El Dia de Los Muertos, translated to The Day of the Dead, has roots traced back to pre-Hispanic America . The dates of festivities related to this celebration of the deceased can be traced to 1800 B.C.( CLNet Folklore/Customs/Traditions ) . This annual celebration is sometimes also referred to as All Souls Day. The meaning of this celebration is translated literally in commemorating and appreciating deceased family members and others who have passed.
Performance
Although this celebration is mainly associated with the dead it is in no way a dark and depressing time. Instead El Dia de Los Muertos is a time of happiness, family, fun, color, food, and importantly a celebration of life. Excitement is exuded throughout in a festive and extravagant manner. Many symbolic goods such as baskets, candles, paper puppets, candy skulls, special breads, flowers, pottery, are both sold and made within the individual households of the Guatemalan people. The people participating in celebration wear wooden skull masks ( calacas ) while dancing in honor of their relatives who have passed on. These skulls are also placed on altars that are built in dedication and memory to the dead. The skull is most important and main symbol associated with The Day of the Dead. The altars are decorated with offerings ( ofrendas ) that consist of items like flowers, toys, photographs, bread and other foods, and other symbolic mementos. Sugar skulls are produced with the name of the deceased family member on the forehead then eaten by someone related to them. During this time people also visit the cemeteries where their loved ones are buried to decorate their grave and celebrate their life.
Artifact
![[image: close up of altar]](images/clip_image001.jpg)
Interpretation
Prognosis for El Dia De Los Muertos
The Day of the Dead is a celebration with an immense history tracing back to as early as 1800 B.C.( CLNet Folklore/Customs/Traditions ). Therefore this celebration has held on to its tradition and importance for centuries. Experts have said that the holiday has experienced times of diminishing popularity to the people of Latin American decent until being resurrected in the United States in the 1970's after experiencing a “cultural reawakening.”( Dobler) The popularity has since spread to people of differing races and cultures. It has however evolved into differing forms. The more rural the setting, the greater the religious importance is practiced in Guatemala . In more urban settings there is grater social importance and emphasis.
Conclusion
The Day of the Dead is widely celebrated holiday that is very important in Hispanic culture. The celebration is centered on the appreciation and respect paid to family members and friends who are deceased. With the main symbol of this celebration being the skull it seems that it would be a very depressing and morbid time. But rather the practices during this time are quite opposite. This holiday is a celebration of life and the individual pastimes of the deceased. There is a greater religious importance in the rural areas of Guatemala whereas in urban areas it is much more festive and celebratory (Dobler). Overall, this historical celebration shows the great importance, respect, and sacredness placed on the lives of loved family and friends. The Hispanic culture places a high degree of importance on the strength of family. This celebration is a time in which this undeniable strength and sincere respect is emphasized and expressed.
Internet References Cited
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http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/index.html
(World Fact Book)
• blue.utb.edu/.../todos_ santos_cuchumatan.htm
(images of mountainous regions)
(Descriptive website dealing background information on countries)
• http://www.mayaparadise.com/fiestas
(Detailed description of aspects of El Dia de Los Muertos)
• http://www.farstrider.net/Mexico/Muertos/Decorations.htm
(Decorations and Treats)
• ( http://www.nacnet.org/assunta/dead.htm
(Background information regarding the Day of the Dead )
• http://csumb.edu/events/dead/explanation.html ( CLNet Folklore/Customs/Traditions )
(General description of El Dia de Los Muertos in most Latin American countries)
Peer-Reviewed References Cited
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• Dobler, Lavinia. (1962). Customs and Holidays around the World . New York : Fleet Publishing Corp.
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Kalish, Richard A. (1980). Death and Dying: Views from Many Cultures . New York : Baywood Publishing Company, Inc.
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Linton, Ralph. (1950). Halloween Through Twenty Centuries . New York : Henry Schuman.
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Pofahl, Jane. (1996). The Time Traveler Series - Mexico . Grand Rapids , Michigan : Instructional Fair.
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Meyerson, Allen R. "Caressing Life on the Day of the Dead," The New York Times , November 4, 1995, p. 9.
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Weibel, Michael R. "El Dia De Los Muertos," The Herald Journal , November 10, 1996, p. 21.