Un Grupo de Mexicali - Dia de los Muerto

To people outside of Mexican culture, Dia de los Muertos, or The Day Of The Dead, may seem as a morbid way to remember those who have passed on. Indeed, we have heard that comment from some, with no understanding about the preponderance of skulls and death symbols seen on the day.   But the only difference between the Mexican celebration and the way others honor their loved ones that have passed on, is a difference in culture. The feeling of loss, of still being spiritually united, is the commonality.  

The day is celebrated, ironically, right around our culture's Halloween, in which the roots also deal with the dead and spirits, albeit in a much different way. In the Mexican celebration, the departed are remembered and their spirits are welcomed, while in the early history of Halloween, costumes are worn to prevent the spirits from recognizing us, and Jack O' Lanterns serve to try and scare them away! But if anything, the modern Halloween  celebration has gotten more and more on the 'morbid' side, akin to the Mexican celebration.

Marigolds

The Day Of The Dead encompasses roots deep in the Indigenous People and Catholic religion of Mexico, and continues to be a day of stories of the ones who have passed, their favorite foods, visiting of cemetaries, and general remembrance and celebration. To link Life and Death together in a celebration makes sense, as both are things that all humans have in common. Un Grupo de Mexicali captures the spirit of the day in their song that mentions the Marigold, a flower native to Mexico, and a powerful symbol.

 

 

 

 

Las velas brillan en la noche oscura
El viento susurra historias de ternura
Calaveras blancas bailan en la luna

On the day of the dead sing out their names
Through the flowers and fire
Eternal flames
They’re gone but here
In our hearts they remain

Pan de muerto sobre la mesa
Fotos antiguas llenan la pieza
Risas y lágrimas en la tristeza

Marigolds glow
Their scent will guide
Bridges of love death cannot divide

On the day of the dead sing out their names
Through the flowers and fire
Eternal flames
They’re gone but here
In our hearts they remain

Cempasúchil y papel picado
Cantan los vivos
Lloran los callados
Life and death dance in a sacred embrace

En el Día de Muertos, cantemos sus nombres
Entre flores y fuego
Llamas eternas
Se han ido, pero aquí
En nuestros corazones permanecen

La vida y la muerte danzan en un abrazo sagrado!