Sedona Arizona Visitors Enjoy Day of the Dead Festival

Sedona, AZ: Dia de los Muertos or Day of the Dead originated in Mexico before the Spanish conquest. It has been speculated that this holiday may have originated from the Olmecs 3,000 or so years ago, and been continued by other cultures such as the Toltecs, Maya, Zapotec, and Aztec.
On Saturday, October 24 and Sunday, October 25, the Museum of Northern Arizona’s 6th Annual Celebraciones de la Gente, produced in partnership with Nuestras Raices (Our Roots), will celebrate Flagstaff’s Hispanic pioneer families, the pre-Hispanic origins of this celebration, and today’s traditions throughout Mexico, Latin America, and the Southwest.

This is a joyous time of the year, when memories of ancestors are celebrated and the souls of the departed return to visit the living. The Museum’s courtyard is lined with ofrendas (altars), the focal point to observing Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), each one telling a story of a Flagstaff family. Golden marigold flowers symbolize the brevity of life and lend a scented pathway to returning spirits. Candles are lit for each family member who has passed on. Calaveras (sugar skulls) sweeten the tongue and mock death with whimsy. Colorful papel picado (cut paper) banners herald the celebration. And sweet Pan de Muerto (bread of the dead) and personal items honor the dead.

 Museum Director Dr. Robert Breunig stated, “This last event of the Museum’s festival season is a great time to celebrate the arrival of fall with authentic customs and traditions of the Mexican/Mexican American/Hispanic cultures. The Day of the Dead concept of a special time to reminisce and to transform grief into acceptance by creating altars, playing music, and dancing warms the heart.”

MNA Heritage Program Coordinator Anne Doyle adds, “We’re especially excited this year to have three groups who have wowed visitors at past festivals: Tucson’s Santa Cruz River Band, with their powerful stories of the Southwest and Mexico; Zarco and Carmen Guerrero and their Dia de los Muertos masked characters and musical storytelling; and Martin Espino and his 'Sounds of the Ancient Americas' and over 100 pre-Hispanic instruments."

Ofrendas

In addition to the family altars, Nuestras Raices will again enliven the organization’s tradition of creating a community altar and invites the public to bring mementos of their loved ones to contribute to this special place of memory and reverence. A presentation about Dia de los Muertos traditions and preparation of ofrendas will be given by Nuestras Raices both days.