Mara Magdalena de Anda Reyes

Module 7. Week 2.
Integrative Activity.
Tell me

For this activity I interviewed my mother, who was born in 1937.

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Did you used to celebrate Da de Muertos when you were young?

Yes, of course. In fact, theres the believe that only Catholics celebrate
their deads, but on the contrary this is a very Mexican catholicindependent rite.
What did your family do? How did you celebrate?
First of all, its very different from now, because Halloween wasnt part
of Mexicans rite, so we never went to Halloween parties or disguise
ourselves. We prepared the altar on October the 30 th. We used to cook
those meals our relatives liked the most. We went and looked for
Cempaschitl flowers and put them in jars. Sweet meals were also
prepared for this occasion, for example Pumpkin with Piloncillo.
You said it used to be different from now. What was different?
Well, families used to go together on November the 1 st to visit those
relatives who may have died while being kids, and on November 2 nd
families used to go to the graveyards to present their respects and
maybe eat while visiting those who have parted from this life to beyond.
Did you go to the Church or anything like that?
No, we didnt. The cult to the dead doesnt come from Catholic
teachings. As I said before, it was pure Mexican tradition, mores that
came through the centuries by being taught from our parents parents.
What did you like the most about that celebration?
Well its difficult to mention only one, because it was considered like a
whole. The food, the flowers, people going to visit the graveyard, the
incense, the color of the streets and houses due to the flowers, the spirit
of the people that blend between happiness and solemnity. It used to be
a very beautiful Mexican rite. I hope it doesnt get erased or included in
Halloween concept, because its very different.