I've never been there myself but my parents are heading down to Mexico next month (Needless to say I'm jealous!). I did however take Spanish classes from first to eighth grade which were instructed by someone from Mexico. The very first thing that comes to mind as I think of Mexico is just the colors! The yellows and greens and blues of the beautiful garments and dances. I used to see the dances performed at school and the music was always so pretty. I even learned a dance or two myself though I only got to wear one of the skirts one time and only for a brief school performance.
The second thing I think of is perhaps a very common thing to relate Mexico with and that is El Dia de los Muertos or The Day of the Dead. It's the day after my birthday so it's always been a day I relate to. The whole concept of the celebration of life and remembrance of those lost is so wonderful to me. It's a much better way to deal with death then the fear we've instilled into our culture of graveyards and resting places for the dead, at least in my opinion. Instead of spending the day in somber quiet ways there is a parade and food and candy. It was a day my Spanish class looked forward to every year (Me especially as it meant my birthday).
The third thing to come to mind is the Revolution. Perhaps a little lame and dorky on my part but eight years of classes will do that to you. We spent every anniversary of the revolution learning and relearning the facts of it. We would often do art projects or the likes on this day and I remember how difficult it must have been to stand against an army backed with money when you had none.
So really my experiences with Mexico are not from physically being there, but still they relate to the culture in that I would often partake in the celebrations and often on the same days that people in Mexico were celebrating. That's comparable to being there at least.
-Sam Fairley
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I completely agree with you on Day of the Dead. They celebrate death rather than fear it. I have learned a lot about this holiday from taking Spanish classes and I think that their traditions are so fun. They decorate the altars and make remembering their deceased a happy thing and I think our culture is completely different. We are mostly sad when someone passes away and we definitely don't celebrate it! If I remember correctly, I think they mostly celebrate death because they think the after life is better.
ReplyDeleteI also am in agreement about the day of the dead. When I personally think about dying, I don't like the idea of people moping around and being depressed about me being gone, I'd rather think about them celebrating the life I lived! I think sometimes in our culture which focuses on the "never-seeing-your-loved-one-again-in-this-life" aspect of death, we feel guilty if we do not constantly feel sad for losing someone we loved. I think it is important to grieve, but I think it is more important to remember the person while they were alive and how they touched and influenced you and other people, rather than focus on the fact that they are gone.
ReplyDelete-Kayla
I agree with you Sam about the "Day of the Dead". What better way to celebrate the lives of those lost by celebrating their own existence in the presence. It has an almost romantic aspect to it. My father passed away when I was 13, and instead of a funeral mourning type atmosphere, we celebrated his life. I really think in many ways its better that way that to dwell on the death portion.
ReplyDeleteI too think of all the beautiful colors in the art, festival clothing, and decorations. I love how much culture is there and in their celebrations. They celebrate life in everything. It is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteColors! I agree. So much of the art is so lively and fantastically colored. Even the Day of the Dead skeletons are lighthearted and fun...
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