• Family
    • Parenting
    • Pregnancy
    • Early Years
    • School Years
  • Mind + Body
    • Life
    • Inspiration
    • Health & Wellness
    • Diet & Nutrition
  • Your Look
    • Fashion & Style
    • Beauty
  • Living
    • Food & Recipes
    • Home & DIY
    • Career & Money
    • Celebrations
  • Culture
    • Art
    • Love & Sex
    • Latinx
    • Travel
    • Horoscopes
  • Real Moms
  • Caregiving con Cariño
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

Latina Moms

Stay up to date with all our latest posts!

Halloween vs. Day of the Dead, Syncretism in the Latino Community

Posted by Latina Moms in Celebrations, Culture on 11/01/21

Halloween vs. Day of the Dead Latina Moms
Photo courtesy of Latina Moms.

Part of the richness in our Latino culture comes directly from our resilience and ability to adapt and survive. Our traditions and folklore have survived centuries of domination and colonialism thanks to our oral tradition, tightly woven family, and identity determination.

Because of their proximity in the calendar and their symbolism, we often confuse traditions such as Halloween and Day of the Dead, but it is important to know the difference between them.

Day of the Dead

The Day of the Dead is a holiday celebrated from October 31 to November 2. Originating in Mexico, this celebration is associated with Western Christian observations of All Hallows’ Eve but has a less grim connotation.

The Day of the Dead holiday lasts several days and involves gatherings of friends and family, who pay their respects and remember loved ones who have departed the mortal world.

Traditions associated with the holiday include honoring the deceased with skulls and Aztec marigold flowers known as cempazúchitl, building homemade altars called ofrendas with the deceased’s favorite foods and drinks visiting gravesites with these items as gifts for the departed. 

The celebration is not solely focused on the dead, as it is also customary to give gifts to friends, such as candy sugar skulls, share traditional pan de muerto with family and friends, and write lighthearted and often irreverent verses in the form of faux epitaphs dedicated to living friends and acquaintances, a literary form known as calaveras literarias (literary skulls).

Although its origins cannot be traced to pre-Hispanic indigenous traditions, Day of the Dead is a manifestation of syncretism (fusion of two or more traditions), adopting symbologies from Medieval Europe along with pre-Columbian festivities where peoples such as the Aztecs had at least six celebrations during the year very similar to Day of the Dead.

Halloween

Originally called “All Hallows’ evening” or “the night of the dead,” Halloween is a celebration held in many countries worldwide on October 31, on the eve of the Western Christian feast of All Souls.

Unlike the Day of the Dead, Halloween comes from the absorption of pagan traditions by the Catholic Church, such as Samhain.

It was immigrants from Ireland and Scotland who brought Halloween customs to North America in the 19th century. The influence of the United States in the market and international popular culture brought the celebration to all corners of the world.

As the Day of the Dead, Halloween takes on a more lighthearted tone in the face of death, between trick-or-treating, costumes, and pranks.

In one way or another, each celebration has its context and origin. However close and juxtaposed they may be in our calendars, one of them has deep roots in our Latin culture and has been maintained for centuries because of our devotion and respect for our ancestors.

The other comes from different traditions and has been transformed into a commercial tradition that has left the dead forgotten.

SUBSCRIBE

Stay up to date with all our latest posts!

« Celebrate Halloween With These Latino-owned Products
Five Latina Artists Who Forever Changed Art’s History »

Instagram

A new year has begun, and we're all ready to pack A new year has begun, and we're all ready to pack our closets with the latest fashion trends. 2022 will be a year of change for everyone, and fashion will be no exception as we will see the return of some daring styles while maintaining the comfort of life working from home — thank you, COVID 🙄🙄.⠀
⠀
From daring catsuits to comfortable oversized jackets, 2022 will be the year to spice up our closet. Visit the link in our bio for more!⠀
·⠀
·⠀
·⠀
·⠀
·⠀
·⠀
·⠀
·⠀
#fashionlovers #outfitoftheday #fashionweek #fashionaddict #fashionistas #fashiongram #fashionstyle #fashionable #fashionista #style #latinamoms
At Latina Moms, we've kicked off the year in the b At Latina Moms, we've kicked off the year in the best possible way: by returning to Hogwarts. Twenty years after the Harry Potter saga conquered our hearts, we’ve enjoyed a new adventure with our children -- and boy, was it worth it! Our favorite characters -- who are now our children's favorites -- have taken us on a trip to the magical world wrapping ourselves in goodies this time as a family. Now streaming on @HBOMax. Did you watch the Return to Hogwarts Special? How did it feel?

@PalanteHBOMax  #ReturnToHogwarts #PalanteHBOMax #hbomaxpartner
We are already diving into 2022, and it is time to We are already diving into 2022, and it is time to start working on all those resolutions we promised ourselves before the year began. ⠀
⠀
But let's be honest, most resolutions are often forgotten on a piece of paper in some drawer, and that needs to change!⠀
⠀
These simple-but-effective steps will help you stay true to your resolutions!⠀
⠀
More in the link in bio.⠀
·⠀
·⠀
·⠀
·⠀
·⠀
·⠀
·⠀
#resolutions #goals #newyear #fitness #e #motivation #health #love #newyearsresolutions #life #newyears #happynewyear #bonneann #resolution #newyearsresolution #gym #instagood #dec #happy #jan #celebration #soir #weightloss #noexcuses #inspiration #happiness #selfcare #healthyliving #blogger #latinamoms
Yoga has gained tremendous popularity over the yea Yoga has gained tremendous popularity over the years, especially during the pandemic — it became the meditation method of choice for many. ⠀
⠀
A practice that combines physical exercise with meditation to achieve a greater connection with your body, mind, and soul, perfect to start this year, right? 🧘🏽‍♀️🧘🏽⠀
⠀
‍Learn about our fav yoga routines to start the year in the link in our bio!⠀
·⠀
·⠀
·⠀
·⠀
·⠀
·⠀
·⠀
·⠀
·⠀
#yoga #fitness #meditation #yogapractice #love #yogainspiration #yogalife #yogaeverydamnday #yogi #mindfulness #workout #yogateacher #yogalove #gym #motivation #pilates #yogaeveryday #health #namaste #wellness #yogagirl #nature #yogaeverywhere #healthylifestyle #fitnessmotivation #yogachallenge #healing #peace #yogapose #latinamoms
The best thing about returning to the magical worl The best thing about returning to the magical world of Harry Potter has been being able to enjoy it as a family. We enjoyed our own version of the Sorting Hat at home, and we had a member of each house in our living room! From the bravery of Gryffindor to the loyalty of Hufflepuff and the intelligence of Ravenclaw to the ambition of Slytherin, we have reminisced together about our favorite saga. And you? Which house do you belong to?⠀
 ⠀
Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: #ReturnToHogwarts is now streaming on @HBOMax. @PalanteHBOMax  #ReturnToHogwarts #PalanteHBOMax #hbomaxpartner
We start 2022 on the right foot with a new lunar c We start 2022 on the right foot with a new lunar cycle that will recharge our energies and push us to achieve our purposes. 🌑⠀
⠀
We’re talking about the New Moon that begins this January 2nd in Capricorn, the sign of discipline.⠀
⠀
Find out everything you need to know in the link in our bio!⠀
·⠀
·⠀
·⠀
·⠀
·⠀
·⠀
·⠀
·⠀
#newmoonincapricorn #newmoonmagic #newmoonenergy #newmoonblessings  #astrology #newmoonintentions #newmoonvibes #newmoonritual  #newmoonwishes #newmooninleo #healing #spirituality #moon #meditation #spiritualawakening #love #crystals #newmoon #selflove #tarot #witchesofinstagram #latinamoms
Taking spirituality into account can help you star Taking spirituality into account can help you start the New Year with determinations — all you need to do is tweak your spiritual ritual. 🔮⠀
⠀
We want to share our easy-to-follow rituals, at least a few of them, so that you can bring light and peace into 2022. We all could use some of that, don’t you agree? 💫⠀
⠀
Check them out in the link in our bio!⠀
·⠀
·⠀
·⠀
·⠀
·⠀
·⠀
·⠀
·⠀
·⠀
#healingenergy #latinamoms #goddessenergy #goddesslife #californiagoddess #blackwitches #blackwitchesofinstagram #morningrituals #goddessflow #witchesofinstagram #energyhealer #lovebath #tarotcards #tarot #spiritualjourney #spiritual #rituals #fullmoon #crystalhealing #conjurequeen #ritual #crystals #reiki #magick #fullmoonritual #healing #goddesslifestyle #witchesofcolor #healingjourney #selfloveritual
The beginning of a new year might be a bit confusi The beginning of a new year might be a bit confusing. If you’re like us, you might go through brief panics when you try to determine whether a particular task is part of your daily to-do list or is part of your New Year’s resolutions. ⠀
⠀
However, we’ve learned how to manage our tasks and prioritize resolutions from anything else.⠀
⠀
Check out the link in our bio and learn how!⠀
·⠀
·⠀
·⠀
·⠀
·⠀
·⠀
·⠀
·⠀
#newyearsresolution #newyears #newyearseve #newyear #jan #dec #happynewyear #newyearscelebration #goals #newyearsday #newyearsparty #hello #instagood #party #photooftheday #celebrate #celebration #bye #donewith #fun #holidaycrazy #happyfourth #christmasdecor #turkeyorham #happyhalloween #thanksgivingtable #valentineformyvalentine #holidayspirit #tflers #latinamoms

Popular Posts

Five Festive, Latin-inspired Cocktail Recipes

Talking about alcohol and partying is redundant in Latin America. Maybe it is the weather or simply the Latin American’s resilience, but there is no doubt that no one knows how to set the mood in a gathering like a Latin American does. That is why cocktails have been one of the booming industries in […]

Easy Money Saving Habits Worth Trying

Celeb Looks We Loved This Week: Oct 2-8

Newsletter

Stay up to date with all our latest posts!

© 2023 Copyright LatinaMoms.
© 2023 Copyright NGL Collective.
LatinaMoms is owned and operated by NGL Collective.