Growing up, we didn't celebrate Dia de Muertos. Not sure if it was just something our parents didn't believe in or wanted to perpetuate but yet, I distinctly recall visiting my grandmother and she'd have a portrait of a loved one who had passed on with a lit candle in front of it, a velorio, right in her entryway as soon as you walked into her house. There was no missing it.
Yet, like I said, we didn't really experience Dia de Muertos until, I estimate 15 years ago for me when I started to explore and learn more about my own culture and background. Yes, I know it's hard to believe that it took me until my mid-30s before I really wanted to learn more about my heritage. And once the floodgates were open, I was kind of in shock wondering why we hadn't celebrated these things before. After all, there were plenty of times we'd visit Mexican panaderias (bakeries) or mercados (supermarkets) and come October, they had all the sugar skulls out on display. I was fascinated by them and, naturally wondered if they were edible.
Before I go on, the timing of the holiday was always interesting since it isn't tied to Halloween but to Catholic traditions. A Hallow, not the Harry Potter kind, is something sacred, holy, consecrated, revered. Halloween is the conjugated term of All Hallow's Eve. Like Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve, All Hallow's Eve is the night before All Hallow's Day or All Saint's Day, November 1st. Which then turns November 2nd into All Souls Day, a day to venerate and honor the dead. Sound familiar?
Mexican culture is really interesting in that, it's a mishmash of indigenous tribes with massive amounts of Spanish and French colonialism thrown into the mix. There's an undercurrent of pride in many Mexican's hearts about their Aztec roots and how Mexicans are 'hijos de la chingada.' Sons of the Fucked. Since the Spanish conquest of the New World, Mexico has had MANY invaders on its shores to rape and pillage the country for their gold and oil. Think of all those Spanish Galleons heading back to Europe overloaded with tons of gold for the monarchy. Yet, despite this pride of our indigenous roots, a common insult in Mexico is to refer to someone as an "indito." Little Indian. Kind of like referring to someone as a hillbilly here in the States. A fool who doesn't know their right from their left. That kind of insult.
I think once I started to visit Placita Olvera on my own is when I really started to gain an appreciation for what it was like growing up as a descendent of a Mexican family. It was around the time that dad passed away that I really got more involved with it. Paying respects to those who have gone before us, celebrating their lives and that death is merely another stage in life. Not something to be afraid of. And thanks to the internet, I could start researching more and more about Dia de Muertos and how to appropriately celebrate.
That's around the time I really started to create my own ofrenda at home to pay respects to the memory of dad. And as the years have gone along, I started seeing more and more of Dia de Muertos merchandise, both online and retail box stores. To be honest, it was actually a pretty good feeling at first. Recognition of my culture. And that's where the topic comes into play.
At what point does cultural recognition become cultural appropriation? Isn't there an entry point for someone who is genuinely curious about a foreign culture or custom that may start off as a lark and it turns into a true appreciation for that? After all, that's kind of what happened with me despite it being part of my heritage. I knew nothing of it but my curiosity guided me to learn more and more. But what I find most irritating of late are the gatekeepers. And I'm not talking about other Mexicans/Hispanics/Latinos and their offspring that get offended at the mere thought of anyone not of "La Raza" celebrating this holiday but Anglos getting bothered by cultural appropriation. Say what?! You're offended for us? Even more curious, you're MORE offended than I am?
Yet, that's what I've been seeing more and more over the years, especially now that Disney's thrown their support behind the holiday observance. Dia de Muertos costumes in Halloween shops because, naturally since it involves skeletons and talk of the dead, then it must be Halloween related. I don't get that. That anything involving death and ghosts is regarded as Halloween. There was a time, not too long ago that costumes were still worn for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Hell, there's a Christmas song that proclaims "there'll be scary ghost stories." And if you really want scary, consider the European Krampus. A literal Christmas devil who comes to steal away naughty children, whips them, eats them. That's one way to get kids to behave during the long winter months. But back to the topic at hand:
There are many keyboard warriors who find it disgusting that Disney is now co-opting Dia de Muertos. They like to ignore the fact that it's Disney's marketing push that even brought the holiday to the national consciousness. They're offended that Disney DARED to try to copyright the term; "Dia de Los Muertos." Which, is actually sound business sense if people would look past the optics. At the time, Pixar was well into production on what would become Coco. And before you even begin to market the film, you secure the rights to the name you intend to use for the film. Prevent others from infringing on your trademark. That was met with massive backlash so Disney quietly re-named the film after the great-grandmother in the movie. Come on, did you really think Disney had the name Coco in mind the entire time it was in production?
But the film did create a touchstone as the themes crossed beyond just being a story about a little Mexican boy who visits the land of the dead. The story of family and generational love crossed national boundaries and languages. There was suddenly a massive interest in Dia de Muertos. And that's when the true appropriation began.
I just saw Converse was selling Dia de Muertos Chucks. You know, for your family altar.
But as I mentioned earlier, there was the appreciation vs. appropriation crowds that were starting to go at it. Naturally there were many on the appreciation side who loved the attitude the holiday displayed and a much more healthy respect for death than the traditional European view on the subject and its morbidity. Respecting and honoring your family and loved ones who are no longer with us. Meanwhile, there are those who scream appropriation because Anglos are starting to get involved with "their" holiday. I don't get that gatekeeper mentality. If someone wants to know more about my culture and respect it properly, I see no issue with them creating their own ofrendas for their homes.
And that's something I've been telling people who ask and aren't sure where to start. An ofrenda is entirely a personal thing. What you might want to display on yours isn't going to be the same as your neighbors because it's always about the people you love. My ofrenda at home is obviously all about my dad. And while he wasn't a heavy drinker, I do have a bottle of tequila out there for him. And a can of Diet Coke. He loved Diet Coke. I've placed pistachios, oranges and pan dulce for him as well. I've added figurines of musicians and dancing figures because man, he loved to dance. Every party, celebration, wedding, what have you, he was always out on the dance floor with mom. Or even just laying at home in bed, he'd be whistling and singing to himself, he loved music so much. His favorite color was yellow so the marigolds fit right in and I've picked up yellow skulls, mugs and even the newest Jaguar warrior in his yellow war outfit.
If you're at all interested in creating your own ofrenda at home, please, PLEASE do it. Make it yours, own it. No one has a monopoly death and they can't tell you how to honor YOUR loved ones. If you'd like suggestions or ideas, feel free to ask. I'd love to be part of your experience.
