CULTURE: Riverside hosts its annual Day of the Dead celebration
By John Burke, Staff Writer
Last Friday, November 2, Riverside hosted its annual Day of the Dead (Dio de los Muertos) celebration. The festivities took place in downtown Riverside in front of the Public Library. The evening included a host of Latin Americans traditions such as Mexican music, sugar skulls and the creation of altars for loved ones.
The Day of the Dead is a predominantly Mexican holiday with roots that can be traced back to the Aztecs. It honors relatives that have passed on into the next life. Believers say that the souls of their departed loved ones come back to visit them on this holiday. The holiday actually consists of two different days: All Saints Day (November 1) and All Souls Day (November 2). All Saints Day concerns the souls of children, while All Souls Day concerns the souls of adults. Unlike Halloween, neither day is meant to be frightening. People are happy to have their departed loved ones back with them for a day.
The main displays at the Riverside celebration were the altars. These were constructed to honor ancestors or loved ones who have passed away. The altars display the deceased’s favorite food, pictures and maybe a favorite toy. Incense is burned on the altars in order to guide the spirits back from the dead to the world of the living. Many altars were constructed in the trunk or on the hood of a relative’s favorite car. One of the largest altars spread across the steps of the Riverside Art Museum. Numerous others lined the streets and sidewalks.
Altars were not the only component of the celebrations though. Other festivities took place throughout the night. Ballet Folklórico displayed an example of Aztec dancing, another tradition of Dio de los Muertos. A parade marched past the library, with the participants wearing large and colorful skeleton masks and colorful Aztec clothing. Vendors lined the road, selling sugar skulls and papel picado (Mexican paper art). Along with the traditional Day of the Dead items, vendors also sold traditional Day of the Dead food. Pan de Muerto, a sweetbread sold as a special treat for this holiday, was very popular. All of these combined to bring together the Latin American community of Riverside.
Courtesy of pe.com