Day of the Dead Celebration

A tradition practised by the Aztecs, Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is an ancient indigenous celebration of death. Because of the Spanish influence, Dia de los Muertos has Catholic and Spanish influences, but never the less has kept its inherently, strong indigenous roots. This celebration, which traditionally lasts two nights and three days, is a time when people remember family and friends who have died by building an altar in their memory. The altar, built in the home on on the gravesite, is decorated with flowers, candles and sugar skulls. The family then proceeds to make the favorite foods of the deceased and sing the songs they so dearly loved.

Walking around this celebration, I came upon an alter of a woman that looked so familiar to me. Suddenly, it dawned on me she was the mother of my niece (my nephew’s wife). Chris was a lovely, free spirited woman who I only knew briefly. As I watched a young mother explaining about the alter to her two small children, I couldn’t help laugh at the young boy behind the scene with that bucket. It just goes to show how… even in the celebration of those who’ve past on… life continues in all it’s silliness… and I’m pretty dog gone sure Chris would have loved the shot. 🙂