The Aztecs developed the ritual some 3,000 years ago because they believed one should not grieve the loss of a beloved ancestor who passed. Instead, the Aztecs celebrated their lives and welcomed the return of their spirits to the land of the living once a year. Thats where the food, drink and music offerings come in. Hayes Lavis, cultural arts curator for the Smithsonians National Museum of the American Indian, says that mourning was not allowed because it was believed the tears would make the spirits path treacherous and slippery. This day is a joyous occasion; its a time to gather with everyone in your family, those alive and those dead, he says. During the Spanish conquest, Catholic leaders exerted their influence on the tradition, and the resulting mash-up created the Day of the Dead celebration as we now know it. Everything on an altar has special meaning, and if you want to try this at home, weve decoded the elaborate altar created for the Smithsonian.... (click on the link for the complete article).
Posted on: Fri, 31 Oct 2014 23:52:54 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015