Tag: Day of the Dead

Day of the Dead festivity leads to cultural rediscovery

Understanding better the Chinese tradition that was part of my childhood
by Yucheng Tang | Posted November 13, 2024

photo by Yucheng Tang
Folkloric dancers recently celebrated a lively and colorful Day of the Dead at Meriam Park.

How can a day that’s about death feel like a huge party?

When I joined the crowd at The Barn at Meriam Park for a Nov. 2 celebration of Day of the Dead — a Mexican tradition called Día de los Muertos in Spanish — I didn’t expect it to lead me to reconsideration of a Chinese festival, Tomb Sweeping Day, that was part of my own childhood.

Latin music played loudly in the background. On stage, children whose faces were painted like skeletons danced and sang joyfully. Next to the stage stood a community altar, adorned with photos of deceased loved ones, candles, and marigolds — the flower that is believed to guide spirits back home.

Nearby, a table offered marigold-shaped stickers where attendees could write the names of their departed loved ones as well as messages for them. read more

At the Chico Cemetery, celebrating Día de los Muertos

Families gather to honor a Latin American tradition
by Ulises Duenas | Posted October 29, 2023

photo by Ulises Duenas
An altar at the Chico Cemetery.

Death is universal and inevitable. It’s almost impossible to prevent a loved one’s death from being emotionally painful when it happens. But how a culture or family views death and the passing of a loved one is far from universal.

Día de los Muertos, or “Day of the Dead,” is a Mexican holiday that came from combining Aztec and Spanish traditions. The focus is on celebrating the lives of those we lost and using food and music to give them a good time before their souls return to rest. The holiday is all about associating death with feelings of joy and thankfulness rather than with reopening old wounds.

Chico is a town full of Mexican influence; the name “Chico” itself is a Spanish word, and the bounties of Mexican culture are shared through the entire community. That includes a Día de Los Muertos event that’s been happening at the Chico Cemetery on Mangrove Avenue, a celebration that’s in its third year. The organizers, Amber Rodriguez, Josiah Anaya and Jessy Maice wanted to highlight the beautiful symbols, vibrant culture and positive emotions that the holiday evokes. read more