Academy Award-winning director Guillermo de Toro was once asked how he can be such a joyful, loving person while also being known for his dark, gothic and horror-centric films. His answer: “I’m Mexican. No one loves life more than we do in a way, because we are so conscious about death.”
In Mexican culture, like in many Latin cultures, death isn’t seen as something sinister or frightening. The perfect example is Día de Los Muertos, or Day of the Dead. The holiday, which is primarily observed in Mexico, regards the topic of death with the celebration of the lives of those who have passed.
In households that celebrate Día de los Muertos, altars are decorated with bright, lively colors and flowers which surround photos of loved ones who have passed. The favorite foods of those individuals are set up by their photo. Traditional Mexican food is often seen on an altar or tombstone, like tamales or pan dulce. Sometimes even an open beer bottle or a shot of tequila is seen on altars. On Nov. 1, some families hire bands to play at the site of burial of loved ones.
Día de los Muertos is not held with sadness or fear of death, but joy and laughter of the memories of those who are no longer with us.
Historians are torn between the holiday’s origin, debating if it is an indigenous tradition of Mexico or brought by the Spanish. Whatever the origin, it’s now celebrated in communities all over the Bay Area.
The Day of the Dead exhibit at the Hayward Area Historical Society Museum will run from Oct. 2 to Nov. 8. Not only does the exhibit have art from 25 local artists, but it will also be holding activities for kids to create their own marigold, sugar skulls and more.
On Oct. 11, the Hayward Area Historical Society will be holding a Day of the Dead pop-up shop. The pop-up will offer Día de los Muertos-themed folk art and jewelry.
For me, Día de los Muertos is the other side of the spooky season where skeletons and death don’t always need to be synonymous with horror and fear.
