The phrase “Día de los Muertos is not Mexican Halloween” is a common assertion, voiced by Latinos and increasingly by others. This declaration serves as a cultural boundary, aiming to protect the Day of the Dead as a distinct Mexican heritage from being absorbed into American Halloween festivities. However, as someone immersed in Mexican-American culture and with a scholarly perspective on cultural traditions, it’s crucial to recognize the blending of these two holidays.
Halloween’s presence is undeniably shaping Día de los Muertos, evolving it into a fascinating hybrid tradition. This blend simultaneously honors deceased loved ones while embracing a macabre aesthetic. To truly understand where Día de los Muertos is celebrated, we must explore its roots and its expansion beyond geographical borders.
The Historical and Geographical Roots of Día de los Muertos
Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is deeply rooted in Mexico and extends throughout Latin America. Celebrated on November 1st and 2nd, it’s a traditional observance dedicated to honoring the deceased. This commemoration is marked by time-honored rituals, most notably the creation of altars, known as ofrendas. These are laden with offerings intended for the spirits of the departed, set alongside decorated gravesites, creating a sacred space to connect with those who have passed. Beyond these intimate family rituals, Día de los Muertos is also a vibrant public festival. Communities gather in plazas and centers, engaging in spirited celebrations filled with dance, music, feasting, and symbolic masquerades that acknowledge death.
Miniature skulls are seen decorated on an altar during the 14th annual Dia de los Muertos festival at Hollywood Forever Ce…
A detailed ofrenda at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery’s Día de los Muertos festival in Los Angeles, adorned with miniature skulls, candles, and vibrant decorations.
While Día de los Muertos has a long and rich history in Mexico, its widespread public celebration among Latinos in the United States is a more recent phenomenon. It wasn’t until the 1970s and 1980s that artists and activists brought Day of the Dead into the public sphere within the U.S., largely as an expression of the Chicano movement. This socio-cultural movement aimed to empower Mexican Americans and celebrate their heritage. As Latinos in the U.S. began to openly and proudly celebrate Día de los Muertos, they found it necessary to distinguish it from Halloween. Misconceptions arose, with some non-Latinos misinterpreting the holiday’s skull and skeleton imagery as related to witchcraft. To combat these misunderstandings, educate the broader public, and protect themselves from prejudice, Latinos emphasized, “Día de los Muertos is not Mexican Halloween.”
This distinction was also strategically employed by Mexico’s tourism sector starting in the 1970s and 1980s. As they began to promote Día de los Muertos internationally, tourists were assured that it was an authentic, unique national holiday, unrelated to Halloween.
Día de los Muertos in the Era of Cultural Exchange (1990s-2000s)
By the 1990s, the phrase “Día de los Muertos is not Mexican Halloween” took on a political dimension. The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), established in 1994, led to an influx of U.S. consumer products, media, and popular culture into Mexico. For some in Mexico, the rise of Halloween was viewed as a symbol of U.S. “cultural imperialism,” where American culture could overshadow and dominate Mexican traditions.
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A vibrant depiction of Día de los Muertos celebrations from 1985, showcasing the rich cultural expression of the holiday.
However, by the early 2000s, anthropologists from Mexico, the U.S., and Britain observed an intriguing cultural fusion. Halloween elements were increasingly appearing alongside Día de los Muertos traditions. Stores and markets displayed Halloween candy, costumes, and decorations next to Day of the Dead paraphernalia. Jack-o-lanterns and spiderwebs began to decorate ofrendas. Streets saw more and more children trick-or-treating in Halloween costumes. Even bars and nightclubs in southern Mexico started hosting combined Halloween and Day of the Dead costume parties for adults.
This blending led some in Mexico to criticize Halloween as a cultural “invasion” or “pollution.” These concerns prompted the United Nations to designate Día de los Muertos in 2003 as an “intangible cultural heritage.” This UNESCO classification aimed to protect cultural traditions perceived to be endangered by globalization, giving the UN and the Mexican government a mandate to “protect and conserve” Día de los Muertos. However, the increasing influence of global culture, particularly from Hollywood, was already deeply impacting the holiday.
Hollywood’s Expanding Influence on Día de los Muertos Celebrations
Today, Halloween’s influence on Día de los Muertos in Mexico is more pronounced than ever. Children now commonly trick-or-treat in costumes for an extended period during the Day of the Dead season, often asking for candy with the phrase “Queremos Halloween!”—”We want Halloween!” Even in traditionally sacred spaces like Panteón de Dolores, Mexico’s largest cemetery, ofrendas can be found adorned with Halloween-themed decorations like cobwebs, vampires, witches, and pumpkins.
Models are pictured during a Quinceanera Magazine Catrina fashion show at a press reception ahead of the 15th annual Dia d…
Catrina-inspired fashion during a Día de los Muertos event in Los Angeles, illustrating the evolving styles and modern interpretations of traditional imagery.
Hollywood plays a significant role in this fusion. For instance, the Panteón de San Fernando, a historic cemetery in Mexico City, known for housing the remains of notable figures, hosts a screening of the horror film “Night of the Living Dead” as part of its Day of the Dead festivities. Attendees, many dressed in Day of the Dead attire, gather at the tomb of President Benito Juárez, blending traditional commemoration with contemporary horror entertainment.
The impact of Hollywood’s horror genre is particularly evident at large-scale Día de los Muertos events. The Gran Desfile de Día de Muertos, a parade in Mexico City that began in 2016, inspired by the James Bond film “Spectre,” attracts over a million people annually. While sugar skull makeup and skeleton costumes remain popular, it’s common to see participants in Halloween horror costumes. Characters like Michael Myers from “Halloween,” Jigsaw from “Saw,” and Pennywise from “It” are now part of the parade’s visual landscape. The popularity of Michael Myers costumes in 2022, coinciding with the release of “Halloween Ends,” which was a box office success in Mexico, underscores this trend.
Disney’s Role and the Future of Día de los Muertos
Disney’s influence is also undeniable, impacting both Halloween and Día de los Muertos. Characters from Disney franchises, like Darth Vader, Spiderman, or Disney princesses, are frequently seen in Day of the Dead celebrations, not just at parades but also at traditional gravesite ceremonies. This presence of Disney characters, even at solemn rituals like graveside offerings at Panteón de Dolores, demonstrates a significant cultural shift.
Furthermore, Disney-Pixar’s film “Coco,” while celebrating Día de los Muertos, has also contributed to the blurring lines between the holidays. The commercialization of “Coco” through Halloween costumes, featuring characters like Miguel and Mama Imelda, makes it increasingly difficult to distinguish between a Halloween costume and a Día de los Muertos costume in Mexico. When someone dresses as a character from “Coco,” it often embodies elements of both celebrations simultaneously.
This fusion presents an identity challenge for Día de los Muertos. The increasing influence of global entertainment, particularly Hollywood and Disney, makes it harder to definitively say, “Día de los Muertos is not a Mexican Halloween.”
While some cultural purists may lament this blending as a dilution of tradition, it’s important to remember that cultural traditions evolve. This adaptation and transformation may be crucial to the enduring relevance of Día de los Muertos. The holiday may well continue to thrive, even as it absorbs elements of Halloween, demonstrating the dynamic and ever-changing nature of cultural celebrations in a globalized world.
This article is an adaptation and expansion of an article originally published by The Conversation.
