What's the Big Deal About Halloween?

[n david]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

There isn't much difference.

Los Dias de los Muertos, the Days of the Dead, is a traditional Mexico holiday honoring the dead. It is celebrated every year at the same time as Halloween and the Christian holy days of All Saints Day and All Souls Day (November 1st and 2nd). Los Dias de los Muertos is not a sad time, but instead a time of remembering and rejoicing.

In many places the townspeople dress up as ghouls, ghosts, mummies and skeletons and parade through the town carrying an open coffin. The "corpse" within smiles as it is carried through the narrow streets of town. The local vendors toss oranges inside as the procession makes its way past their markets. Lucky "corpses" can also catch flowers, fruits, and candies.

The celebration of Los Dias de los Muertos, like the customs of Halloween, evolved with the influences of the Celtics, the Romans, and the Christian holy days of All Saints Day and All Souls Day. But with added influences
from the Aztec people of Mexico.http://www.floramex.com/lihallow.htm

But there are differences. American's don't pray to the dead, they don't parade around with fake corpses or have dances to honor the dead, which is specifically what Los Dias de los Muertos is about.

The American Halloween is not Mexico and Latin America's Los Dias de los Muertos. They share dates and costumes which is where the similarities end.

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by n david

But there are differences. American's don't pray to the dead, they don't parade around with fake corpses or have dances to honor the dead, which is specifically what Los Dias de los Muertos is about.

The American Halloween is not Mexico and Latin America's Los Dias de los Muertos. They share dates and costumes which is where the similarities end.

They don't? "Hardin-Simmons library hosts El dia de los Muertos celebration on Halloween. HSU would like to expose the students to different cultures and their holidays. The Day of the Dead is a historically Mexican holiday but it has been known to be celebrated throughout Texas."

http://www.bigcountryhomepage.com/st...dkmrgqPUDRzxIQ

[n david]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

They don't? "Hardin-Simmons library hosts El dia de los Muertos celebration on Halloween. HSU would like to expose the students to different cultures and their holidays. The Day of the Dead is a historically Mexican holiday but it has been known to be celebrated throughout Texas."

http://www.bigcountryhomepage.com/st...dkmrgqPUDRzxIQ

HSU would like to expose the students to different cultures and their holidays. The Day of the Dead is a historically Mexican holiday but it has been known to be celebrated throughout Texas.

Yes, there are places in the Southwest which celebrate this Mexican holiday. I read this morning that Tucson, AZ will be having a big Los Dias de los Muertos party and parade.

Just like most of AZ and southwest have Cinco De Mayo celebrations.

I doubt very much you'll see it in Omaha, Wichita, Tulsa, Milwaukee, Cleveland, or hundreds of other cities.

The reason is it's still a historically Mexican holiday, as described, which the overwhelming majority of Americans are not celebrating when they celebrate Halloween.