DIA DE LOS MUERTOS - DAY OF THE DEAD CELEBRATION NOV. 2 IN BORREGO

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A Time Of Reflection About The Meaning Of Life And The Mission That One Needs To Fulfill 
                                                                                     
By Millicent Arko


October 29, 2011 (Borrego Springs) -- The Borrego Art Institute and the Borrego schools are planning a major celebration of the Dia de los Muertos - Day of the Dead this year. The celebration will be at the Art Institute Gallery, in the Mall, on Wednesday, November 2, 10:00 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.,
587 Palm Canyon Dr # 105, Borrego Springs, CA. There will be music, dancing, and food -- a real family celebration. The two-day event features multiple activities, performances, and opportunities for the community to celebrate and learn about this cultural tradition.

The Day of the Dead is not a mournful commemoration but a happy and colorful celebration where death takes a lively, friendly expression and the deceased are honored. The celebration attracts all sorts of people who want to pay homage to loved ones who have died, through art and music. It is a joyful way to honor the dead through artistic expression such as papier-mâché skulls and skeletons, cut paper hangings, decorated sugar skulls and flowers.


Altars will be set up on Tuesday, November 1 between 1:00 p.m. and 8 p.m. Students of all ages are involved and community members are invited to set up their own family altars at the BAI Gallery.


Day of the Dead
(Spanish: Día de los Muertos) is a Mexican holiday. The holiday focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died. It is particularly celebrated in Mexico, as a National Holiday. The celebration takes place on November 1- 2, in connection with the Catholic holidays of All Saints' Day (November 1) and All Souls' Day (November 2). Traditions connected with the holiday include building private altars honoring the deceased using sugar skulls, marigolds, and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed and visiting graves with these as gifts.

November 1 honors children and infants, whereas deceased adults are honored on November 2. Toys are brought for dead children and bottles of tequila, and other distilled beverages for adults.

People visit the cemeteries to be with the souls of the departed and build private altars containing the favorite foods and beverages as well as photos and memorabilia of the departed. The intent is to encourage visits by the souls, so that the souls will hear the prayers and the comments of the living directed to them.

Plans for the day are made throughout the year, including gathering the goods to be offered to the dead. During the three-day period, families usually clean and decorate graves; most visit the cemeteries where their loved ones are buried and decorate their graves with "offerings".

Families will also offer trinkets or the deceased's favorite candies on the grave.

Some families build altars or small shrines in their homes; these usually have the Christian cross, statues or pictures of the Blessed Virgin Mary, pictures of deceased relatives  and offerings are also put in homes, usually with food.

Pillows and blankets are left out so that the deceased can rest after their long journey. People spend all night beside the graves of their relatives and in many places; people have picnics at the grave-site as well.

Fun Facts: A glossary of Spanish terms used in connection with the Day of the Dead:
 
los angelitos — literally, little angels; young children whose spirits return
la calaca — a skeleton figure representing death, similar to the Grim Reaper
el calavera — a reckless fellow
la calavera — skull
la calaverada — crazy, foolish behavior
el difunto — the departed
la hojaldra — a bread for the Day of the Dead
la ofrenda — an offering left for the souls of the dead
zempasúchitl —traditional name for the yellow marigolds used to mark a pathway to the altar.

The Borrego Art Institute
was founded on November 1, 2004 with the leasing of a former restaurant space on Palm Canyon Drive, “The Mall”. Renovations began immediately, a Board was formed, and The Gallery opened on March 1, 2005. A 501 © 3 application was filed shortly thereafter.
Over 40 Borrego artists currently have their work on display. A portion of the sales price on each piece of art is retained by the gallery and used to offset some of the ongoing operating costs. Beyond this, the Institute is reliant on donations from the public.  Borrego Art Institute continues to evolve with the help of people who embrace our desire and dream to create and share art in the Borrego Valley. Their mission is to provide a venue for works of art created by Borrego Valley Residents; organize the public viewing and sale of art; create a learning center for artists of all ages and operate as a not-for-profit organization committed to community benefits.
Contact Barbara Nickerson (206-910-1070), Leslie Duncan (760-532-5129) or (760) 767-5152 for more information. http://www.borregoartinstitute.com
Directions to the Borrego Art Institute, 587 Palm Canyon Dr # 105, Borrego Springs, CA 

 


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