SAVE THE DATE: Burien’s free ‘Dia de los Muertos’ (Day of the Dead) events are coming to the Burien Community Center on Friday, Nov. 3, 2017.
This fun, family-friendly event is open to the entire community and celebrates the tradition of honoring and remembering our ancestors and families.
This celebration, which runs from 6 – 9 p.m., will include:
- Altars/Ofrendas
- Face Painting hosted by Burien Arts
- Loteria (bingo) Room
- Arts & Crafts — mask making and more!
- Come dressed in costume or as a Catrina!
- Traditional Music and Dance
- Food for purchase from Maria’s Tamales
- Storytelling
- …and More!
Dia de los Muertos Background
“El Dia de los Muertos,” has enjoyed renewed popularity since the 1970’s when Latino activists and artists in the United States began expanding “Day of the Dead” north of the border with celebrations of performance art, Aztec danza (dance), art exhibits, and other public expressions. The Day of the Dead in the USA is providing cultural awakenings as the tradition is embraced by the mainstream.
Ofrendas are an essential part of the Day of the Dead celebrations. The word ofrenda means offering in Spanish. They are also called altares or altars, but they are not for worshiping. Altars are set up during Dia de Muertos to honor ancestors, or relatives or friends who have passed on.
An ofrenda is a fusion of pre-Hispanic traditions and Spanish elements. All Souls’ Day in the United States is dedicated to prayers for the dead. Day of the Dead is also celebrated on this day. Many western churches annually observe All Souls’ Day on November 2, and many eastern churches celebrate it prior to Lent and the day before Pentecost.
Mexico and the USA embrace two types of ofrendas: Traditional ofrenda and freestyle installation (Ofrenda Traditional y Instalacion Libre). In many Mexican towns, there are contests for ofrendas. Judges go house to house and pick the three most beautiful altars. Ofrendas are works of art!
More info here: www.burienwa.gov/DDLM]]>
