"Altar de Muertos"
(Altar for the Dead)

November brings out national holidays in Mexico , more commonly known as "Día de Muertos" (The Day of the Dead). Traditionally, the dead are expected to visit the living and be their honored guests for the night. It combines pre-Hispanic Indian beliefs with the Catholic traditions of Medieval Spain.

In many homes altars are prepared for relatives or friends who are dead. A typical altar is decorated with Cempasúchil (a kind of marigold flower that is very traditional and common during this season), calaveras (sugar skulls), and pan de muerto (sweet bread). The altar is usually a table covered with tissue paper where several items are carefully placed, such as pictures of saints, incense and many candles.

Food and drinks are always included on the altar, especially the favorite food and drinks of the person to whom the altar is dedicated. It is believed that those no longer alive enjoy the food in spirit, while afterwards, the living eat it. Some people like to include clothes the dead wore or things they enjoyed using when they were alive.

For example, if the altar is for a grandmother, her rebozo (a kind of shawl) and her spectacles are set up. If she enjoyed knitting, then needles and wool are also included. If the altar is for the grandfather, perhaps his sombrero or his playing cards will be placed upon it. If the altar is for a child, then toys and sweets are set up.

Source: www.meetmexico.gob.mx

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An artistic interpretation of a Mexican altar will be set up this year at the National University of Singapore's Faculty of Communication, as part of an international program the Embassy of Mexico's continous cultural exchange programmes.

It is made out of wooden characters, sweets, and colorful pieces, and is intended to show in an entertaining way, and mainly to children, the meaning and the components of a basic Mexican altar.

The author of this fantastic altar is Mexican artist Amparín Serrano, who has closely worked together with Mexico City's "Papalote" interactive museum. We wish to thank very much both Papalote museum and Amparín Serrano for their support in this project.

Another great tradition in Mexico during November is the making of "calaveras" (translated as "skulls"), which are rhythmic verses dedicated generally to friends and/or relatives (the living ones). Even though these verses speak of death, they do it in a fun and ironic way, since they are in fact a way of showing friendship, love and long living. Below are two examples of "calaveras", although we apologize to our English-speaking friends, as these verses are only good in Spanish.

Calaveritas elaboradas por nuestra paisana Betty Zamora, y dedicadas a nuestras colaboradoras Sofía Montejo e Irene Sánchez.

A SOFIA

A Sofia, por alocada / la anda buscando la Flaca. / Preguntó en YMCA / y luego fué a la Embajada.

Mas no pudo encontrar / rastro de la chaparrita. / "Pues donde se habrá metido / este pedazo de mujecita?"

Por fin a Sofía encontró / en un puesto del Barrio Chino. / "Aiyo!", exclamó la Muerte / "Y yo buscando el Círculo Latino!"

A IRENE

Extraviada en Singapur / persiguiendo a un mexicano, / a la Embajada fué la Muerte / buscando 'ayuda al paisano'.

Mas no contaba la Flaca / con que la atendería Irene. / Le dijo la de Amecameca / que dejara de molestar gente.

"Si mexicanos llevar quieres / a México debías ir, Catrina. / Mas aquí en Singapur / encuentras puro 'Made in China".