I went to 2 different celebrations for Dia de los Muertos. The first one October 31st, 2010 in Mission San Luis Rey, Oceanside. I was excited just to watch the Mission and imagining the history that happened there. There were folklorico dances from the Mexican states of Veracruz, Baja California, Nuevo Leon. There were also offerings from several vintage car clubs that they had in their trunks. I was looking for offerings like the ones that are done in Oaxaca, Mexico, where I’ve seen so many but was unable to find one like the ones there. What I found was a clash of cultures: Mexican and American with offerings that included plastic pumpkins and ghosts (things that you do not see in a traditional offering). I noticed many people though with their painted faces, catrina type and since I wanted to dress up as one but just couldn’t afford getting the expensive dress I though it would be a perfect occasion to get a face mask or at least half of it. I wore my mask all day and impressed trick or treaters later in the night.
The second place I went for Dia de los Muertos was at the California Center for the Arts in Escondido, CA on Nomvermber 1st, 2010. It was a Monday night so I did not expect many people there, but I was wrong. The place was packed and they had many workshops and activities for kids and grown-ups. I enjoyed the repujado craft table and even created a little piece of my own. There was an altar dedicated to Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera that resembled a little more the traditional altars I am used too. Also as soon as I entered the offering patio I noticed a smell of incense that is always used in the traditional altars. I hadn’t smelled that in years so that was a nice surprise. Again I noticed the clash of cultures, but perhaps this one was a little less than the one at Mission San Luis Rey.
I do recommend though visiting Oaxaca, Mexico during these times to see what I am talking about. They do sand murals downtown and families visit the cemetery overnight to clean and take flowers to the graves of their deceased loved ones. It is a time where the whole family gets together to go and remember their love ones. In the neighborhoods, young people organize “comparsas” which are small satirical stories about everyday people and their journey to heaven or hell, they usually end with dancing with traditional music and all sorts of people dressed up as different characters.
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