Day of the Dead

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A ghastly sight to be seen as many appeared for one of the most celebrated holidays during the year. America has recently finished Halloween and Mexico celebrated its Day of the Dead with a new world record attempted. There are around 8.851 million people living in Mexico City.

Mexico Day of the Dead

Incredible as it seems, this looks like some sort of zombie invasion. This skeletal sight first appeared from an engraving by an artist named Jose Guadalupe Posada between 1910 and 1913. He believed that “Death is democratic” and in the end, regardless of whether you are white, dark, rich or poor, we all end up as skeletons.

Posada’s creation was originally meant to make fun of people who pretended to be European but were not. The skeleton is Mexican slang for someone poor. They weren’t able to buy any food and have other basic necessities of life. Women in the country dressed up as “Catrinas”. This formed one of the largest – if not largest amount of skeleton ladies in one place back on November 1st.

mexican dead lady

When the Spanish Conquistadors first arrived in what is now known as central Mexico, they encountered the natives practicing a different type ritual which seemed to mock death. This happened some 500 years ago. This tradition is believed to have been practiced longer dating back 3,000 years.

Dia de los Muertos is celebrated in Mexico and certain parts of the United States, including the metro part of Phoenix, Arizona. Some things still remain a part of it – including the Aztec ritual using skulls as symbols.

mexican girl

In recent years, people wear skull masks, paint their faces and dance in honor of their deceased relatives. These wooden type skulls are placed on altars in honor of the dead. One interesting note, sugar skulls are made with the dead people and placed on the forehead. Later these skulls are eaten by friends and relatives.

The Ebu Gogo

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