Celebrate Día de los Muertos with The City Library!

by Christine, Chapman Branch

​Did you know that Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a tradition thousands of years old? It was first practiced by people such as the Aztecs and Toltecs. For them, death was the next chapter in a person’s life. Instead of grieving for someone who had passed away, they celebrated that person’s life and honored their memories.

Did you know that Día de los Muertos is observed October 31-November 2? This is a time when it is believed that those who have died have the opportunity to leave the spirit realm and visit loved ones in the mortal world. Those who observe Día de los Muertos often visit gravesites, leaving possessions or favorite food of the deceased and make ofrendas (altars) honoring dead loved ones with calaveras, marigolds, and favorite foods and beverages of the departed. Calaveras are skulls, and can be represented with masks and also are made into chocolate or sugar skulls. Festivities also include music and dance performances, decorating sugar skulls, and face painting.

​This is just an example of an ofrenda, you can also include candles, food, and pictures.
Did you know that you can celebrate Día de los Muertos with The City Library virtually this year? You can enter our art contest, click here for the link. We will also provide some fun craft boxes that can be picked up from our Chapman, Day-Riverside, Glendale, and Marmalade branches. There are three boxes to choose from, one box per family: sugar skull box, a mini altar (ofrenda) box, or a paper flower box. Boxes will be available starting October 23 through November 7, Monday through Saturday, noon to 6 pm, as long as supplies last.

​Please watch our library website and our social media accounts for more information about getting craft kits and celebrating Día ​ with The City Library this year.