Celebrate the Day of the Dead in Princess Hotels Riviera Maya

By | 26 October, 2023 | 0 comments

The Day of the Dead is one of Mexico’s most emblematic celebrations, and one that offers a unique combination of tradition, spirituality and culture.

We hope this article will help you immerse yourself in the history and tradition of this important celebration by telling you about some of the Mexican legends linked to the festivity and showing you how it is celebrated in Mexico and at Princess Hotels Riviera Maya.

 

History and Origin of the Day of the Dead

History of the Day of the Dead - Princess Hotels Riviera Maya

The Day of the Dead is a celebration with pre-Hispanic roots. At that time, a number of Mesoamerican ethnic groups, including the Mexica, worshipped the gods that were in charge of the fate of souls.

In Mictlan, the underworld, or place of the dead, souls had to overcome a series of obstacles in order to reach eternal rest. Mictlan was divided into levels according to the manner of death, and there were separate houses for warriors and deceased children.

As a means of helping the souls on their journey, relatives performed rituals that involved weeping and the burial or cremation of the body along with personal items. During a period of four years ceremonies were held at the resting place of the deceased to facilitate the mourning process.

With the arrival of the Europeans, this ritual merged with their celebration of the dead, giving rise to the Day of the Dead festivity as we know it today.

 

Legends of the Day of the Dead in México

At this time of year it is common practise to share anecdotes about ghosts and paranormal phenomena.

Mexico is full of legends that intertwine life, death and the afterlife. Two of the best known that are related to the Day of the Dead are:

 

1. The man who didn’t respect the Day of the Dead

Peasant legend of the Day of the Dead - Princess Hotels Riviera Maya

This legend tells the story of a farmer who, despite his dedication to working his land, disregarded the Mexican tradition of the Day of the Dead and did not prepare an offering for his deceased loved ones.

Although the community was surprised, no one criticised him. However, while working in his cornfield, he began to hear voices of deceased family members asking for food. At first he thought it was his imagination, but he soon realised they were familiar voices.

Terrified, he ran home and asked his wife to prepare an offering of tamales and other dishes. While she did so the farmer decided to take a nap in his hammock, and when the offering was ready, his wife tried to wake him up, only to realise he had died.

The villagers understood that his death was a result of not respecting the Day of the Dead tradition.

 

2. The Legend of Charro Negro

Charro Negro and the Day of the Dead - Princess Hotels Riviera Maya

This is the story of a fearsome being that prowls at night when the sun goes down and forces people to seek refuge in their homes. The creature gets its name from its elegant Charro attire, which is usually black with gold or silver trimming. He also rides a horse whose eyes are balls of fire that appear to look into the souls of his victims.

The Charro Negro tends to appear in rural areas and stalks those travelling alone, considering them easy prey due to their fear and the probability that they will make bad decisions.

This legend, however, is human in origin. El Charro was originally an ambitious man who, in search of wealth, made a deal with the devil in exchange for his soul.

Eventually he realised that wealth did not make him happy and he felt lonely and despised by people who only used him for his money. When the devil came to collect his debt, EL Charro tried to escape, but was eventually condemned to suffer in hell collecting debts for the devil.

Only when a greedy traveller takes his place can EL Charro Negro and his horse rest in peace.

 

How is this important day celebrated in Mexico?

Day of the Dead Celebration, Mexico - Princess Hotels Riviera Maya

During the celebration of Day of the Dead the country is immersed in festivities and rituals that allow families to remember loved ones and family members whose souls, according to tradition, return for one night to rejoin the world of the living.

This special period begins at the end of October and continues to the 1st of November, which is dedicated to the spirits of children, and the 2nd of November, when the spirits of adults are honoured.

To welcome and remember these loved ones on their return to the world of the living, Mexicans erect altars full of colours, flavours and fragrances. These altars tend to feature a number of elements, such as:

  • Photographs of the deceased: It is common practice to include portraits of deceased loved ones in offerings.
  • Incense or copal: The smoke from copal or incense plays a fundamental role by offering an olfactory guide for the souls of the deceased to find their way to us.
  • Drinks, water and the favourite foods of the deceased: As part of the offerings the favourite drinks of the deceased are offered, along with water, in order to quench the thirst of the souls after their long journey, in addition to the foods they most enjoyed in life
  • Cempasuchil flower (marigold): This flower, also known as the “twenty-petalled flower”, has a fluffy appearance and is used primarily to decorate offerings and create pathways to guide the spirits of the deceased.
  • Calaveritas (skulls): In ancient times real skulls were often used in offerings. Over time, these were replaced by skulls made of sugar, chocolate or amaranth, each representing a deceased person.
  • Pan de muerto (Bread of the Dead): In addition to being delicious, pan de muerto symbolically represents the body of the deceased.
  • Literary Calaveritas. These are compositions written in verse, sometimes called “mock epitaphs”. They emerged in the 19th century and became popular in the 20th century. These humorous verses deal with death and are usually dedicated to well-known people, although they are also used to address social and historical issues. For example, a calaverita for Frida Kahlo could go:

       On the Day of the Dead, Frida appears,

       with her palette of colours and her strength that ennobles.

       In her offering, flowers and paintings in dance,

       a vibrant soul, an artist who never tires.

      With intense eyebrows and dressed in passion,

      Frida smiles from her eternal creation.

      In every stroke and in her sincere gaze,

      Frida Kahlo, on the Day of the Dead, remains whole.

 

Celebrate the Day of the Dead with us in Princess Hotels Riviera Maya!

Day of the Dead - Princess Hotels Riviera Maya

At Princess Hotels Riviera Maya on the last day of October we have prepared a special programme in which you can, on the one hand, celebrate Halloween and put on your best costume and, on the other hand, experience an authentic Mexican celebration in honour of those who are no longer with us on the Day of the Dead. A double celebration!

In Grand Riviera and Sunset Princess

  • On Halloween we will have pumpkin decorating, Halloween piñata, trick-or-treating, party, costume contest, and a horror show to finish up with.
  • For Day of the Dead: Pre-Hispanic dance on November 1st and Marimba and Folklore Fiesta on November 2nd.

At Platinum Yucatan Princess collaborators will combine their efforts to produce elaborate altars representing different regions of the country and our guests will be able to appreciate first-hand the elements that make up these tributes. In the evening, in addition to a complete change of atmosphere, La Catrina will parade to the accompaniment of a Mariachi troupe, offering the perfect opportunity to take pictures and dance with her.

 

Come and join us in an unforgettable day! Do you fancy it? Tell us you opinion!

Categories: Caribbean, Be inspired, Mexico

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