Driftwood Public Library invites everyone to join us for Dia de los Muertos on Tuesday, November 1st at 5 PM. Dia de los Muertos—the Day of the Dead—is a celebration marked throughout Latin America, and is most strongly associated with Mexico, where the tradition originated. The holiday honors the dead with festivals and lively celebrations, a typically Latin American custom that combines indigenous Aztec ritual with Catholicism, brought to the region by Spanish conquistadores. (Dia de los Muertos is celebrated on All Saints Day and All Souls Day, minor holidays in the Catholic calendar.) Believing that the dead would be insulted by mourning or sadness, Dia de los Muertos instead celebrates the lives of the deceased with food, drink, parties, and activities the dead enjoyed in life. Dia de los Muertos recognizes death as a natural part of the human experience, a continuum with birth, childhood, and growing up to become a contributing member of the community. On Dia de los Muertos, the dead are also a part of the community, awakened from their eternal sleep to share celebrations with their loved ones.

The library’s celebration is open to everyone, and costumes are encouraged! There will be face-painting, tamales, and live Andean folk music from Chayag. Families are also encouraged to bring pictures or objects to represent their deceased loved ones.

Music from Chayag can be heard here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8S3hqNEEKc