Dia de Muertos, Day of the Dead, is a Mexican holiday where and friends come together to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died. It occurs at the end of October (31 Oct to 2 Nov). Here in Toronto there was a Day of the Dead festival at Harbourfront this past weekend.
One of the traditions of Dia de Muertos is the making of ofrendas which are altars dedicated to the deceased person. Jose Clemente Orozco was a Mexican painter (1883-1949). He specialized in painting murals in frescoes and his work can be seen in Mexico and in the USA.
Another altar that was on display was one made by artist Alberto Cruz in honour of Pablo Picasso.
The Casa Cultura Mexicana made an ofrenda to honour the Prehispanic indigenous people and warriors of Mexico.
The bottom part consisted of pictures made with coloured rice.
Food items such as rice, beans, and corns were an important part of the ofrenda.
Ofrendas are decorated with sugar skulls and marigolds (or yellow and orange paper flowers) as well as candles, photos, momentos from the person’s life, and things that symbolize something about that person. Sometimes serious, sometimes whimsical.
What would your friends and family put on an ofrenda in your memory?
There was also clay available if you wanted to make a small skull or other symbol for the occasion.
Rest in Peace.
as I walk Toronto 