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Día de los Muertos ("Day of the Dead"), is a holiday celebrated in Mexico and various Latin American countries from November first through second, in which the lives of deceased relatives are honored and remembered by their loved ones.
Families will make home altars and place ofrendas, or offerings, of their deceased loved one's favorite foods, drinks, and mementos to honor and celebrate their memory, as opposed to mourning them.
Our panel of experts explain the cultural, historical, and spiritual significance of Día de los Muertos and give context to the various traditional items associated with the holiday such as calaveras, marigold flowers, and pan de muerto.
For more information on Day of the Dead and it's history in the U.S., Dr. Regina Marchi's book, Day of the Dead in the USA: The Migration and Transformation of a Cultural Phenomenon, is a great resource.
To learn more about Mexican and Mexican-American traditions, visit Casa Ramirez for their annual celebration of Día de los Muertos which features altars, folk art, jewelry, and paintings from local Mexican artists. For more information, click here.
If you're interested in pan de muerto, visit an Arandas Bakery location near you.
Guests:
- Associate Professor of Journalism and Media Studies, Rutgers University
- Affiliated Professor, Rutgers Center for Latin American Studies
- Author, Day of the Dead in the USA: The Migration and Transformation of a Cultural Phenomenon
Carlos Aguilar
- Former Broadcast Journalist
- Media Literacy Teacher at Sharpstown High School
- Casa Ramirez Folk Art Gallery Emcee
Ricardo Hernandez
- Director of Operations, Arandas Bakery – Beechnut location
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