Read in EnglishMexico is one of the few countries, if not the only one, that remembers the dead through a colorful celebration, where food plays an essential role. As you well know, in our country, the
Day of the Dead is celebrated on November 1st and 2nd. During these days, Mexican families adorn their altars with
cempasuchil, candles, papel picado, copal, pan de muerto, sugar skulls, and all kinds of dishes and drinks, although the most important thing is to incorporate the favorite delicacies of those who are no longer with us.What is the origin of the Day of the Dead?The celebration of
Day of the Dead has its origins in pre-Hispanic times, as those rituals are very different from the current celebration, but they did lay the foundations for this feast for the deceased. Before colonization, death was an essential part of the daily life of indigenous peoples, as rituals and sacrifices were frequently performed. Additionally, like in many other cultures, the Mexicas held rituals in which “their family members organized a feast to guide them on their journey to Mictlán. Likewise, they placed food that they liked in life, with the belief that they might feel hunger,” according to the National Institute for Federalism and Municipal Development. You can also read:
What does pan de muerto mean? In the worldview of ancient peoples, the dead would return to visit their families and enjoy the delicacies included in the altars and offerings, but this changed with the arrival of the Spaniards. Once the colonizers arrived in Aztec lands, the indigenous peoples were forced to adopt Catholicism, so the Day of the Dead is the result of the clash between two cultures. As the
National Institute for Federalism and Municipal Development explains, “the ancient Mexicas, Mixtecs, Texcocans, Zapotecs, Tlaxcaltecs, Totonacs, and other indigenous peoples of our country moved the veneration of their dead to the Christian calendar, which coincided with the end of the agricultural cycle of corn, the main food crop of the country.” Later, with the arrival of the Spaniards, they brought with them the Catholic calendar, which included two important dates: All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day, which are celebrated on November 1st and 2nd, respectively. Thus, by combining elements from indigenous peoples, such as cempasuchil and copal, with foreign elements like candles and alfeñiques, the Day of the Dead was established as a celebration of life and death in our country. You can also read:
Medicinal benefits and uses of cempasuchilWhy is food left for the dead?As you already know, food on the altars and offerings has always been indispensable in the celebration of life or death, as it acquires a ritual importance. In the case of Day of the Dead, food becomes a link with those who have already departed and with those who remain in the world of the living, as a great feast is prepared to honor the dead so that they can enjoy mole, tamales,
pan de muerto, sweets, atole, mezcal, tequila, or any other food they liked. Thus, food is left for the dead on the altars so that they not only enjoy their favorite delicacies but also allows their family members to remember them in a joyful way, through delicious dishes. You can also read:
What to do with the food from the altar afterwards?Dishes for the Day of the Dead altarThere are elements that are essential during November 1st and 2nd: photos of the deceased, colored papel picado, water, salt, copal or incense, candles, cempasuchil flower, pan de muerto, and sugar or chocolate skulls. As for the food for the altar, the dishes vary depending on each region, community, and family. At Kiwilimón, we know you are looking for the best dishes for your Day of the Dead altar, so we tell you which are the 5 recipes that cannot be missing on this special date and even better, we share a series that
kiwilimón and
craftología have created especially for Pinterest, where you can learn to prepare dishes like mole, tamales, pan de muerto, sugar skulls, but also to make a cempasuchil curtain and a wooden crate niche, don't miss this amazing
series!1. Mole Mole is synonymous with love, as it takes time, effort, and dedication, so there is no better way to honor the dead than with this delicious Mexican dish. Don't miss
the mole recipe for Day of the Dead that we made especially for Pinterest, it's the best on the internet! 2. Pan de muerto Pan de muerto is also essential for Day of the Dead, as the strips of the bread symbolize bones and the small ball in the center is the skull, although it can also refer to the Catholic cross. Moreover, its flavor is irresistible. 3. Tamales It doesn't matter if they are sweet, mole, or Oaxacan, tamales are always an excellent option for the Day of the Dead altar. See the recipe to prepare red chicken tamales
here.4. Atole To accompany the fluffy tamal, there is nothing better than a warm atole, at kiwilimón we have the best recipes for this drink! 5. Sweets Everyone will love typical sweets like pumpkin in syrup or sweet potato in honey, as they are great options to sweeten the day for both the living and the dead. However, a basic element for your altar is the sugar skulls, which you can prepare with the help of kiwilimón and craftología, so
stay tuned for the complete series coming soon!