What is Dia de los Muertos?

TODAY

Many immigrants, especially the Oaxacan community, have brought these traditions with them. They are now sharing them with everyone by participating in Día de los Muertos Festivals in the U.S. Non-Mexicans are learning that Día de los Muertos is a celebration of life and death that speaks to everyone who has lost somebody. Some people attend because either they are curious, or they want to just have a good time. Perhaps they want to continue this wonderful tradition. Whatever the reason, it’s wonderful to see so many different types of people gathered in one place to celebrate life and death. In la fiesta of Día de los Muertos, time no longer bars one spirit from another by reason of death.

Admission is FREE, parking fees apply day of event ($5/vehicle)

TRADITION

The Mexican Day of the Dead – Día de los Muertos — is a festive and celebrative time. It is a holiday with a complex history and fusion of old traditions. This view of death started with Meso-American cultures such as the Olmecs more than 3,000 years ago. Meso-Americans believed that during this time of the year, the boundaries that separate the living and the dead weaken and that the deceased could visit the living. Unlike the Spaniards, who viewed death as the end of life, the natives viewed it as the continuation of life, as a blend together cycle. Instead of fearing death, they embraced it. To them, life was a dream and only in death did they become truly awake.

The holiday is traditionally celebrated on November 1st and 2nd. Because it is a holiday with a complex history, its observance varies from region to region and also by degree of urbanization. In the small towns of Mexico a candlelight procession to the cemetery is held by most of the families on the eve of the celebration. At the gravesites family members spruce up the gravesite, decorate it with flowers and enjoy a meal. Offerings are brought to the graves and include the favorite foods, beverages, toys, and personal belongings of the departed so that they might enjoy them again. Family members spend the night at the cemetery and share the memory of their loved ones by telling stories about them. The celebration is not a mournful one, but rather a time to share with family and friends and to visit with the souls of the departed.

The warm communal environment, the colorful setting, and the abundance of food, drink and the presence of friends and family members has pleasant overtones for most observ¬ers. This festive interaction between the living and the dead is a way of celebrating that life was and still is shared with the departed and is also recognition of the cycle of life and death. This cycle is the cycle of all forms of existence.

ALTARS/OFRENDAS

*Located on the Heritage Lawn

The Altars, full of “ofrendas (offerings), is the focal point to observing the Dia de los Muetos. In Mexico it is constructed at home and/or at the graveside or business establishment. Entire families construct altars as an annual commitment. View the 24 altars that have been constructed by Oaxacan families, our local college groups, Oceanside Police Department, and several local families. A special thank you to Mellano & Company for providing the marigolds every year for the festival

CHALK CEMETERY

*Located next to the Lavanderia on Peyri Road

FREE: Remember a loved one and design your own memory square with marigolds, chalk & candles (while supplies last).

ART

*Locations adjacent to the Heritage Lawn, Ash Tree and more.

Dia art will be featured by David Lozeau, Erica Villareal, & Lori Escalera and more. Expect to see vivid colors and description of the tradition and event. David Lozeau will again be doing a live art demonstration. Interested artists need to contact Laurel McFarlane at events@mcfarlanepromotions.com or call (619) 233-5008.

EDUCATIONAL

*Adjacent to the Ofrenda area on the Heritage Lawn

You can have a personal tour concerning the history and elements of Dia de los Muertos by Carlos VonSon. The Day of the Dead tradition and how it renews itself through new influences is expressed in the altars, and also in educational pamphlets at the event both in English and Spanish.

KIDS FUN

*Located next to the Rose Garden

Enjoy family fun with handmade crafts – sugar skulls, masks & paper flowers. Bean bag toss competition throughout the day. KxXy will be providing games and giveaways throughout the day.

RUBIOS

Dances and Comparsas are part of the Carnival form the Days of the Dead.-The festivities of the Days of the Dead include traditional and satirical dances like the Rubios and the Chilolos. “La Danza de Los Rubios” (Dance of the Fair-skinned Ones) is a traditional dance from the Mixtec area that honors the cowboys who herded cattle from Oaxaca to the states of Veracruz and Puebla as well as parodies the ruler from Spanish descent. This group comes from Juxtlahuaca, and the dance reflects fearless and intrepid men who risked their lives herding cattle. This is a unique dance because instead of “sones” and “jarabes”, they dance to music of violins and guitars which is associated to west coastal music in Mexico.

COMPARSA

(Also called Muerteada) is basically a parade that is very traditional in Oaxaca. Sometimes the comparsa is performed for four days (from October 30th to November 2nd). Each town have a variation of the comparsa, but the main characters are the happy widow, the dying or dead husband, the father of the widow, a doctor, a priest, a shaman, people dressed like death, a few devils, and “las lloronas”. Naturally death and the devils leave angry because they believed that they would harvest a soul for themselves.

For more information, email Mission San Luis Rey or visit www.sanluisrey.org.
phone: (760) 757-3651

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About Mission San Luis Rey de Francia

Founded in 1798, Mission San Luis Rey de Francia, known as the “King of the Missions,” is a National Historic Landmark. The largest of all the 21 California missions, it is home to a community of Franciscan Friars and is open daily to the public in the Franciscan tradition of heritage and hospitality. Facilities include a Retreat Center with day and overnight programs for spiritual renewal, multi-function meeting spaces, a Cemetery open to all people, Mission Gift Shop, Historic Church and interpretive Museum.