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Modern Day Foodie
Longmont Celebrates Día de Muertos!
2023-10-15
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For the last twenty-three years, the City of Longmont has celebrated Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead). A time set aside to celebrate deceased loved ones by keeping their memories alive.
This year’s celebration was filled with traditional crafts, costume, dance, music, food, and customs. Families gathered to make sugar skeletons, paper flowers, and other customary crafts. Children lined up to have their faces painted into a Day of the Dead style skeletons. Young and old attended the festival with cheer and remembrance.
In México, The Day of the Dead is represented by customary traditions and symbols. Festivities are spread over several days starting in October. Peaking during the first few days of November. Symbols like skeletons, sugar skulls, altars, and the colorful cut-paper streamers are made to celebrate the period.
At this year's festival, children had the opportunity to make these items at several craft stations along Coffman Street.
It is often mistaken as a “Mexican Halloween.” But the only things it has in common with Halloween is the time of year and some symbolism. The most Halloween thing that resembles the traditional Halloween activities is in more contemporary areas of México, kids go door-to-door asking for calaveritas (small skulls) in form of candy or fruit. More on La Calavera Catrina below.
One of the most important traditions of this seasonal tradition is the building of ofrendas (altars). The altars are to honor loved ones who have passed away and their journey on Earth. There are many aspects to an altar. The most common is to symbolize the four main elements of water, fire, earth, and wind.
It is common to leave water in a pitcher so the spirits can quench their thirst. Papel picado, or traditional paper banners, represent the wind. Earth is represented by food usually in the form of bread. In a Catholic Church, you might see 3 tiers that make up the altar. Each symbolizes the religious belief of a soul’s life. Life on earth, a souls in purgatory, and a souls in heaven.
The altars are also adorned with photographs, personal belongings, candles, sugar skulls, pan de muerto (Mexican Bread of the Dead), flowers (typically marigold flowers), incense and more.
Between October 14th and November 5th, the Longmont Museum will have the Día de Muertos ofrendas (altars) on exhibition in the Museum’s Swan Atrium. These altars were crafted by community members, along with local artists.
In addition to the altars at the museum. There is a self-guided Downtown Longmont Business Altar tour. Businesses are hosting ofrendas to honor the traditional holiday. Starting Saturday, October 14, Downtown Longmont businesses unveiled their ofrenda displays.
Maps for self-guided tours of all business altar locations are available at several downtown businesses or at the Longmont Downtown Development Authority office at 320 Main St. The ofrendas will remain on display through Sunday, November 5th.
La Calavera Catrina (elegant skull) is a face that has a definite aesthetic of a skull, wearing an embroidered hat with ornate flowers. La Calavera Catrina (La Catrina) is said to be the Aztec figure Mictecacihuatl, the death goddess of Chicunamictlan.
Her role was to watch over the bones of the dead. She is a tall skeleton that wears an elegant turn-of-the-century dress. An extravagant hat full of brilliantly colored flowers. She sports a grinning skull smile, and her neck is draped with a feather boa. La Calavera Catrina doppelgangers or version of her were in abundance at this year’s festival.
La Catrina is a sacred symbol rooted in Mexican culture. It symbolizes the way Mexican people see death and the afterlife. La Catrina represents how people decide to honor and celebrate the lives of those they have lost instead of focusing on the fact that they are gone forever. It’s a unique and beautiful way of interpreting the cycle of life.
Between October 14th and November 5th, the Firehouse Art Center in Downtown Longmont will have a La Catrina and Mask Auction Exhibit to benefit the Firehouse’s Outreach Education classes.
The Firehouse invites local artists to create their representation of La Calavera Catrina (elegant skull), as well as a clay mask making art session for the public.
Is there a male version of La Catrina?
There is a male counterpart to the Catrina. His name is Catrin. Both male or females wear the same skull makeup and black clothes. The male wears either a formal suit with a top hat or a mariachi costume. A cane might also be part of the costume.
One table. Size depends on how many items you plan to place on the table.
Drape table with a decorative tablecloth. It is customary in Mexican culture to use a serape, which has its own distinct striped pattern.
You can make several layers. The top layer represents heaven while the base represents earth. To achieve this, you can stack boxes underneath the tablecloth.
Add marigolds (cempasúchil) to the altar. The bright color and strong scent is believed to make it easier for deceased loved ones to find their way back to you.
Light some candles the light from candles is an element that helps spirits return.
Add your loved ones' favorite foods to the altar as an offering.
Decorate with figurines and colorful skulls, which represent the cycle of life and death.
*If you were at the Longmont festival dressed in costume. I most likely have a great picture of you. I would be more than happy to send you a copy. Just decribe to me what you were wearing: coloradomartinis@outlook.com
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