Dia de los Muertos in Philly

Photo by R. Kennedy for GPTMC

So do people really know what Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is all about? I want to assume a lot of mainstream America thinks it's just another Mexican holiday like Cinco de Mayo...negative. Dia de los Muertos is celebrated throughout Mexico and in several regions of the United States. It's not necessarily a mourning holiday but more of a celebration. The celebration occurs on November 1st and 2nd in connection with the Catholic holiday of All Saint's Day which occurs on November 1st and ALl Souls Day which occurs on November 2nd.

According to an article in the Arizona Republic, unlike the Spaniards, who viewed death as the end of life, the natives viewed it as the continuation of life. Instead of fearing death, they embraced it. To them, life was a dream and only in death did they become truly awake.

Here are just a few happenings in Philly you can check out today and tomorrow:

1. Dance Party at the Philadelphia Museum of Art
2. Yummmy specials at Xochitl
3. Folk art at the Eye's Gallery on South Street
4. MÜtter Museum's 2nd Annual Day of the Dead Festival