Photo: Eyepix/NurPhoto via Getty
Día De Los Muertoshas arrived — but is there a way to honor it without appropriating Mexican culture?
Originally a harvest celebration for the Aztecs, what would become the Day of the Dead in Mexico was once celebrated around the end of summer, structured around farming season — much likeHalloween, which is derived from pagan holidays also honoring the season change. Spanish conquistadors bringing Catholic influence to Latin America combined the holiday with the Catholic traditions of All Saints’ and All Souls’ Day.
The central belief is that thespirits of loved onesare allowed to join the living on those days and commune with them, and the celebration is geared towards that idea: People leave toys andcalaveras(theiconic skull — made from sugar— that inspires the makeup and look of the holiday) for children, and for adults they leave food, favorite possessions and alcohol at elaborate homemade altars, calledofrendas.
Día de Los Muertos celebration.ALEJANDRO MEDINA/AFP via Getty
She then gave examples of how to honor the holiday “without actually adopting it,” like visiting festivals and museums to observe it and educating yourself and your children on its rich history.
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Another big question to ask yourself, according to López,is what your intentions arewhen it comes to your interest in the holiday.
“Are you painting your face as a sugar skull because it’ll look super cool and get you plenty of likes on Instagram? Then strongly reconsider your actions,” she wrote. “These traditions are not ‘just for fun’ or to bring yourself attention on social media — they are sacred. Respect that.”
“If you’re theDonald Trumptype who would eat ataco and declare you ‘love Mexicans’while supporting the deportation of the people who made it for you — don’t even think about it,” López advised. “It should go without saying, cherry picking a culture while not respecting the people it originated from is completely unacceptable.”
Día de Los Muertos celebration.Eyepix/NurPhoto via Getty
She also noted that it’s still possible to encounter “scrutiny” even with the best of intentions, writing, “Should someone confront you on why they think you have no right to celebrate Día de muertos, consider their words and feelings. There’s a fine line betweencultural appreciation and cultural appropriation, and not everyone agrees where that line is. Try to do better.”
“Other ideas could be visiting a place they loved to go to, reading a book they loved,doing an activity they enjoyed participating in, supporting a cause they were involved in, etc.,” the response continues. “There are so many possibilities based on what you and your family find meaningful to honor your loved ones.”
This year’s Day of the Dead begins on Thursday and ends on Saturday.
source: people.com
