Día de Los Muertos at the Panteón General

Grim mourning and welcome to the Grimm. I'm your host, Kristin. On today's episode, we'll be opening the gate and entering the Pentagon general located in Oaxaca, Mexico. So grab your favorite mug, cozy up, and let's take a dig into history. Every year throughout the fall season, many prepare for Halloween planning, costumes, elaborate decorations and carving pumpkins. Yet borderline to America and the Southern Hemisphere, families prepare for a very different celebration. DIA de los Muertos are translated to English The Day of the Dead. Popularized in the recent years in the Disney movie Coco. Many believe they understand this famous holiday. But do we? Mexico is an absolutely beautiful country, rich with culture and amazing people. That, sadly, for many tourists, it's just a good beach and a seriously good taco. But it's so much more. As with many cemeteries, the Pentagon general most of the year sits peacefully with its residents residing quietly until October 31st when the cemetery comes alive. Yet to really understand, they at their most Muertos. Let's dig into its history. Starting at the very beginning, like many other holidays observed today. Dan Demos, where Atlas was formed from a combination of religions, Catholic and the indigenous in the region. It's often associated with All Hallows Eve on October 31st, but this is actually a wrong assumption, starting with how the ancient Mesoamerican relationship with death as their ideals were very different to Christian or Catholic connotations. Once Path of the afterlife wasn't based on their behavior in life, but their type of death they experienced to pass on meaning how you die, determined where you ended up. So, for example, if you died in a river being drowned to death, you'd end up with the rain, God and the water. Tallulah Gone in the Paradise up to Luke in the afterlife. They also didn't have a date dedicated to the dead, but would rather routinely give gifts to those who passed on based on their cause of death. For example, warriors or women lost in childbirth were given a day dedicated to their sacrifice and remembered as a special death on a certain day of the month versus other ways of passing on on a different day. Some tribes would have the Day of the Dead reserved for paying respects, then have an entire month of celebration. This was dependent upon tribal beliefs and the region. It wasn't until the Spanish conquistadors landed that these customs would change in the 16th century. Discovering a new land for many conquerors also meant the assumption that their barbaric cultures needed to be reorganized by the conquerors and the acceptance of civilization. All Saints Day, or better known as All Hallows, is the first Sunday of Pentecost in the Orthodox Church and the Byzantine Catholic Church is that, as observed by many Catholics now. All Saints Day, or better known as All Hallows, as the first Sunday of Pentecost and the Orthodox Church and the Byzantine Catholic Church, as that is observed to mainly by Catholics today. It's a day dedicated to the souls who've passed on and overcome purgatory, becoming sanctified in the eyes of the church. Thus, the name of All Saints. This was celebrated normally by a feast, by the living for the dead. On November 1st, the scientism of the conquerors with a native customs became over the years as almost worthless as we know it today. Wish I could then go more into the origins of a Catholic holiday that were influenced by the Celts. But for today's purpose, we're going to stay in Mexico. Many historians differ on the opinion of the holiday's origins, but regardless, it's widely popular in the Mexican culture. Today, DIA de los Muertos was mainly observed first in the regions of northwestern Argentina to Mexico, where large numbers of indigenous population were originally settled and now can be seen all over Latin America and Mexico. Today, the holiday is observed by Families First, creating on ofrenda or altar with the pictures of those who passed on filled with favorite dishes or possessions of those who've passed. These can be found just outside of homes or can be in public areas. But it's normally uncommon because it's a very personal affair of friends can also offer family members who are unable to make it to the grave sites, or if a grave is unknown. A way for the souls to still be remembered and visit them to the custom of having them located outside is seen as a welcoming gesture for the deceased. Traditionally Pablo Picasso or bright tissue paper decorates the ofrenda with meaningful colors, yellow for the sun, purple for pain, pink for celebration and white for hope. Candles then illuminate the ofrenda to represent the cardinal points or one for each of the souls returning to visit that would offer illumination to light the way water, wine, candied pumpkins and pan tomatoes, bread or bread of the dead. For the souls visiting is then offered sugar skulls representing the Holy Trinity as the giver of life can also be found. And sometimes Calaveras are also used in their place for a light hearted touch. An arc of cane and flowers representing the passage to life of purification and the abandonment of the earthly body as a tradition. Adornment on the ofrenda too. There's really no way to decorate or send up a friend. But these are the most common practices seen. Many add their own touches that honor the souls past, which can mean infinite ways to set no frienda. The family then cleans the deceased's grave and decorates it with marigolds offerings and candles. Marigolds are simple zucchini from their vibrant color and beauty are believed to attract and guide the souls of the dead. The flower is widely used in Mexico, at gravesites of friends and even on the road from the house to the cemetery to help guide the spirits. Native to Mexico, the flower has become known as the flower of the dead. From its association with the holiday, many prepared days prior, or even weeks, depending on their traditions. With the holiday starting at sundown on October 31st. Families make their way to the cemetery where it's believed the souls of children visit on November 1st, then adults on November 2nd. November 1st is more commonly called DIA de los in docent this or Day of the Innocents or DIA de los Adultos A Day the Angels. The days prior for some of the families observed on baptized children or family who passed away in accidents for the next few days every night. Families pay their respects to their loved ones, keeping the path to and from the underworld open with candles like the Ofrenda candles are traditionally in pairs of two layers to represent the four cardinal points and one for each soul. Once a deserted, lonely burial ground, it transforms into an enchanting candlelit urethral garden filled with loved ones, remembering those lost souls. In a way, it's ironic that the day most associated in the world with horror and spookiness is the exact opposite in the southern hemisphere. Recently, in the last few years, on October 27th, many started observing the day for lost pets to return to visit. Our friends now include pictures of lost pets along with their favorite toys. Dogs, however, always played a significant role in the region, going back to the Aztecs, who believed dogs or more specifically the soldier litters were sacred. Social leaders were believed to guide souls to the underworld and were commonly buried with their owners. This was so common that archaeologists found skeletons and ceramic statues in Aztec ruins in ancient digs with their owners. Sadly, when the Spanish conquistadors took over, the custom of eating dogs was also brought with them. The soldierly days almost went extinct, but in the 1950s, the country took initiatives to help save and preserve the breed. Mexico now recognizes the socially day as a national dog and the symbol of Mexico City. So many now associate animals for the Day of the Dead with our heroes. But it wasn't until the 1940s they were actually created. In 1943, artist Pedro Llinares was in bed feeling ill when he fell into a deep sleep. Dreaming he saw clouds, trees and even rocks transform into strange unknown animals such as dogs with wings or roosters with horns not knowing what they were. The strange creatures shouted out one word Allah, Hebrews. After he made a full recovery, he then went to work and recreated the creatures from his dreams. Leonardo's designs then became seen by artists Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo, who were at the time producing other pieces of his art. He was then showcased in an art exhibition for the Oaxaca Valley, where many saw his work, and now he brings the what has valley rich history with carving animals from copper wood. Said to have magical ties merged with linear as algebra is and then became one in the same. Thus where we now see the strange chimera like creatures associated with a holiday. Today, in many Mexico cities, museums and public spaces have played an important part in developing and promoting the urban Day of the Dead traditions, their altars and installations, encouraging the observance of the holiday where it appeared to have been lost in the modern day of age. In some towns in Mexico, more within the larger cities, children can be seen in costumes, headed door to door, asking for calendar days, small gifts of candy or money. This is extremely similar to Halloween's trick or treating in the United States, but no trick is included or mischief if Candy isn't given. Parades and dressing up as the Day of the Dead with elaborate costumes is now also a tradition. Noise is generally encouraged to wake up the dead and also dressing like them to make them feel more at home. Literature known as the Calaveras Letters, takes place Sunday at the Most Word. It's more of a jovial epitaph dedicated to friends, classmates, co-workers or family members living or dead. Sometimes with the inclusion of public or historical figures. Too many their habitats use death related imagery such as cemetery skulls or the Grim Reaper associated with death itself. One most famously known is the Care of Eric Catrina, the elegant skull from Jose Guadalupe. Posada was first intended as criticism of Mexican upper class women who imitated European fashions but became a symbol of the holiday Instead. She's used as inspiration for costumes, art and now non seasonal trinkets or items. In the 2015 James Bond film Spectre actually featured a Day of the Dead parade in its opening scenes. But oddly enough of the time, no such parade existed. After the movie, the Mexican government from the film's popularity, decided to use its fame and promote the Mexican culture. And now A Day of the Dead parade in Mexico City takes place every year. Many Mexicans in the southern region of the United States, such as Texas, New Mexico, California and Arizona, also celebrate occasions honoring their heritage from back home in their current country today, rather than on general known to locals as San Miguel. It's just one of the grounds that see many throughout the celebration. India Tomas Huertas established in 1829. It was originally on the outskirts of town to help handle the overflow from a rampant epidemic of smallpox that killed a quarter of the population. Sadly, only five years later, the cemetery saw and fawns again when cholera raged through the town, killing hundreds more. It's estimated that over 11,000 souls are laid to rest. Within the gates of the grounds are enormously grand. And once you make your way in, you fully know you're in the land of the dead. Each gravesite is very unique and no two are alike. Loved ones are remembered in crypts, mausoleums, elaborate funeral art, or intricately carved tombstones, clean and beautiful. Many appear impeccably kept where others are in complete ruins. It makes every turn full of unexpected finds. Beyond the walls in the town now surrounding the cemetery cater to any need from burials, stonemason, flowers and other services. When the festival draws near on or special occasions. For example, on feast days, vendor set up around the gates or in the nearby streets selling religious icons, knickknacks used with your friend as mementos and food. The cemetery, just like death, changes with the city's ebb and flow from its daily life. What's also beautiful about Mexicans is their welcoming hearts of those around them. Some absolutely consider that almost worthless a day of personal observance. But many welcome others to observe the holiday themselves and make their own. A friend is just remember, if you do plan to make it an ofrenda, the soul needs at least a year to travel to the underworld in time to be honored. So while you're trick or treating and dusk begins to set in, perhaps give a pause, thinking of those who've gone before us with a small moment of remembrance in honor, a day at the most, where those or perhaps make your own a friend. To honor the souls of the past. This November 1st or second. The grave grind for dead animals. Huertas was at Cafe de old or Mexican coffee made from home. For now, we're closing the gate on Pantheon General. We hope you enjoyed our dig in history. If you did, please leave the Grim a five star review wherever we're handling your podcast queue or subscribe today. Join us next time when we open the gate on The Grim.