Public ofrenda (alter) at Day of the Dead Festival in downtown Corpus Christi in the old Ritz Theater
Day of the Dead
DAY OF THE DEAD ALTAR (ofrenda)
Inspired by a El Dia de los Muertos Street Festival last year that I wrote about, I have created an altar(ofrenda) in my home. These altars are to remember and honor the dead. November 1 is All Saints Day and November 2 is All Souls Day. The Day of the Dead is celebrated November 2 although some seem to combine the two days.
Day of the Dead –
Paths of flower petals and
burning incense guide
spirits to the house of the living.
Tables with favorite food and drink.
orange and yellow flowers,
all offered to the spirits.
Then the living go to
graves of the dead.
Custom says ill fortune, illness
death or worse
may befall
those who make no offerings.
Who will decorate my grave?
Who will bring me food?
Who will talk to me?
No one.
Cremation may be best f or me.
JH
Nov. 2016
Below is a closer look at my orfenda The pocket knife is for my father; the clip earrings for my mother; the wine bottle for another relative; the carnations for a friend; matches with Mexican Loteria characters for those that loved to gamble; sage for cleansing. I needed marigolds! Maybe next year.
MAY THEIR SOULS FIND THEIR WAY TO MY ORFENDA EVEN IF ONLY IN MY HEART.
FRIDAY FOTO: El Dia de los Muertos Street Festival
Dead of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos) is a holiday celebrated in Mexico and in parts of the United States that honors the dead. Traditions include making private ofrendas (altars) to remember and honor the dead and visiting graves with gifts for the departed. A form of it was celebrated in Mexico prior to Spanish colonization and was gradually integrated into the Catholic church’s holidays, All Saints Day (November 1) and All Souls Day (November 2).
On October 29 Husband and I attended El Dia de Los Muertos Street Festival in downtown Corpus Christi. Here are photos by Husband, of course.
Entering the festival on a beautiful afternoon.
Cute couple!
Ofrendas (altars) were set up in an old movie theater, the Rialto. This was a public one where people could participate by bringing photos, gifts, chrysanthemums or remembrances of loved ones.
This ofrenda was not traditional but it was playfully wicked.
Flowers and fruit were left out for Harambe, the gorilla who was shot in a Cincinnati zoo this year to save a child.
This beautiful one was for Abraham Lincoln.
This more traditional ofrenda honored many deceased family members.
For a token donation for the restoration of the Rialto Theater, one could choose a paper flower and write a message in memory a loved one. I left a message for a niece who would have appreciated the art.
A happy face!
A handsome hombre!
Not a typical festival couple.
What is a festival without a car show?
Nice Caddy!
Ready to rock and roll!
Mural on the tunnel from uptown to downtown Corpus Christi.
A native American Indian group performed songs accompanied by drums. At the end the older leader reminded us that we are all brothers of this Earth and that we should care of each other as we take care of our home, Earth. We should all be able to agree with that.
DAY OF THE DEAD OR THE DAY I DIE
A post from two years ago.
NO VISITORS
Day of the Dead –
Paths of flower petals and
burning incense guide
spirits to the house of the living.
Tables with favorite food and drink.
orange and yellow flowers,
all offered to the spirits.
Then the living go to
graves of the dead.
Custom says ill fortune, illness
death or worse
may befall
those who make no offerings.
Who will decorate my grave?
Who will bring me food?
Who will talk to me?
No one.
Cremation may be best for me.
For more on the traditions of the Day of the Dead check out this website.
http://www.celebrate-day-of-the-dead.com/
THE COASTAL CRONE 