Dia de los Muertos- Day of the Dead
My informant is a first-generation American, so obviously there will be Mexican holidays that have carried over into his generation from the generation of his parents. My informants mother is Mexican, while his father is Panamanian and Danish. Therefore, the family carries over the mothers roots when it comes to Spanish festivals and traditions. This is a holiday that occurs every year and is celebrated in remembrance of those lives that are deceased. It is a holiday that celebrates and honors the lives of those who have passed away. My informant has celebrated this holiday every year of his life.
This holiday is celebrated from October 31st to November 2nd. The interesting thing about this holiday is that it is begins on the same day as the American date of Halloween. Both holidays are extremely similar because both have skulls, costumes, and other items relating to the dead. Although it is mainly a Mexican holiday, it is also celebrated in other parts of the Spanish speaking world, as well as Brazil, a Portuguese speaking country.
The reason why this festival is so important in my informants world today is because he has a lot of pride in his culture. Being the first man from his family born in America, my informant feels it is important to carry over the roots of his familys culture into his American culture. When I asked my informant what he thought about the holiday, he stated that he loves the holiday because it is a time where I get to go to San Diego and celebrate with my family. Also, I think it is a great way to honor the dead. It is a good tradition to keep family together, and to come in contact with people outside your family as well because the whole community comes together for it.
From talking to my informant, I really feel as though he is extremely dedicated to his culture. He believes that family and tradition are two important values in his life, and without them he would feel empty. I admire my informant for being so religious and enriched in his culture.
Annotation:
This article can be found in the Greeley Tribune which can be accessed online at:
http://www.greeleytrib.com/article/20070409/NEWS/104080141
– This article was accessed on April 25, 2007