Dia de los Muertos

Día de los Muertos is a millenia-old tradition, with roots in indigenous Mexico, for honoring the memory and souls of departed loved ones. One of its most prominent customs is setting up altars to honor relatives, friends, and even pets who have died. Read on to view the diverse altars throughout San Antonio whose decor, stories and traditions remind us that in commemorating death, we encounter the beauty of life.

The holiday Día de Muertos celebrates life by remembering those who've died. Celebrations feature the ofrenda, a small shrine curated with seemingly mundane objects and images.

NPR's Michel Martin speaks with Mariana Nuno-Ruiz McEnroe, author of Dining with the Dead: A Feast for the Souls on Day of the Dead, about what to cook in celebration of Dia de los Muertos.

The Day of the Dead is deeply rooted in pre-Hispanic Aztec rituals blended with Roman Catholic traditions. But many of the indigenous symbols remain, including the vibrant and fragrant marigold.

People could be seen dressed in Dia de los Muertos attire and some even adorning skull face paint and decorations.

The City of San Antonio's Department of Arts & Culture is encouraging residents to take advantage of the slightly milder weather and attend citywide Día de Los Muertos events from Oct. 23 to Nov. 2.

Brownsville native and writer, Oscar Cásares, penned an article last year after losing a cousin to COVID-19. Like many, he was left to grieve in isolation, but he turned to a cultural tradition as a source of healing: Día de los Muertos. Cásares’ article memorialized loved ones lost to the virus and will be featured in an upcoming collection by Texas Monthly.

Laredo activists against President Donald Trump’s border wall created a Day of the Dead altar to highlight those hurt by his border and immigration policies.

Día de los Muertos in San Antonio usually involves large crowds, singing, dancing, parades, ofrendas and other colorful festivities to celebrate loved ones who've passed. How will things be different in 2020 given pandemic restrictions and the virus' disproportionate impact on Latino communities?

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