by Michael P Coleman
I’m dipping mi dedito into this whole Day of the Dead thing. Most of my Mexican friends have been patient as I’ve discovered and learned about their culture.
I’m sure you’d think otherwise if you were to hear me speak, but I’m not a native Spanish speaker. (Gracias Rosetta Stone y Adelante Media Group muerto.)
So I’m always hesitant to put “feliz” in front of “Dia de Los Muertos” as a holiday greeting, as we are prone to do in the US.
Happy Halloween? Ok, I’ll give you that one because Milky Ways and Snickers are in abundance.
But “Happy Day Of The Dead?” It may sound a bit weird, but as I learn more, it doesn’t seem that odd.
El Dia de Los Muertos is a Mexican holiday that’s observed October 31 – November 2 throughout Mexico and around the world. In the US, it’s often and mistakingly conflated with our Halloween. Unlike our gluttonous celebration of ghouls and goblins, Dia de los Muertos is a colorful holiday that focuses on gatherings and remembrances of those friends and family have have died.
Hence the whole “confusion with Halloween” thing by us gringos.
Click here to read MPC’s full story, and learn more about Dia de los Muertos.
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