Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos)

I went with two friends to Olvera Street, a street of Mexican restaurants and stores, in Downtown Los Angeles for dinner. A Day of the Dead procession was being performed. The Day of the Dead celebration originated in Mexico during the time of the Aztec. It was originally celebrated in the summer but moved to October 31, November 1, and November 2 by the Spanish colonists to coincide with the Roman Catholic festival of Allhallowtide: All Hallows’ Eve, Hallowmas, and All Souls’ Day. It is a celebration to remember friends and family members who have died. Today, it is celebrated in many countries, some of them non–Spanish–speaking, and especially in Los Angeles. In Mexico, it is a national holiday.

You can see Los Angeles City Hall (photo) lit up on your way across the street from Union Station to Olvera Street.

Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos)

We met Catrin and Catrina at the entrance of Olvera Street. Catrina appears in many stylish costumes in Day of the Dead dolls.

The belief behind the Day of the Dead celebration is that the gates of heaven open at midnight on October 31 and the spirits of deceased children reunite with their families for 24 hours. On November 2, the spirits of deceased adults come down for the festivities.

Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos)

Before the procession, there was a ceremonial cleansing and blessing. In this photo, they are setting up. Smoking incense was moved over people’s bodies. Photos of the cleansing and blessing was discouraged.

Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos)–MOVIE-1

Before the procession began, a band started playing.

Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos)–MOVIE-2

The Novenario Procession has begun. Participants are dressed up in costumes representing the departed. The skulls and and costumes are not considered to be scary but a way of honoring the dead.

Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos)

I copied some scenes from the movie. The photos are not very clear.

Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos)

From the movie.

Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos)

From the movie.

Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos)

From the movie.

Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos)

From the movie.

Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos)

From the movie.

Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos)

From the movie.

Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos)–MOVIE-3

This is the blessing part of the procession. Both women and men are honored, with the men dressed as warriors.

Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos)

From the movie.

Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos)

From the movie.

Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos)

From the movie.

Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos)

From the movie.

Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos)

From the movie.

Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos)

From the movie.

Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos)

From the movie.

Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos)–MOVIE-4

After the procession, the band was playing again. In the movie, you can see the woman in a wheelchair to whom the band is singing Happy Birthday.

Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos)

A large, colorful pinata.

Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos)

After the procession, there is free pan de muerto (bread of the dead; Mexican sweet bread) and also champurrado (a hot Mexican beverage). Photo: people lining up.

Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos)

You can also bring some pan de muerto home.

Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos)

Seen on our way from Olvera Street to the Plaza where there was Aztec dancing: The Old Plaza Church of the Mission Senora Reina de Los Angeles, founded 1781. Both my late husband and his father were baptized in this church––the oldest Roman Catholic Church in Los Angeles. The Plaza was the center of life in early Los Angeles.

Los Angeles City Hall

Los Angeles City Hall viewed from the Plaza.

Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos)–MOVIE-5

The Aztec dancers at the Plaza.

Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos)

Aztec dancers.

Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos)

Aztec dancer.

Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos)

Close–up.

Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos)

Aztec dancer.

Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos)

Aztec dancers.

Los Angeles City Hall

Time to go home and say goodbye to Downtown LA for the evening.

Union Station

And to walk across the street to Union Station to take the light rail home.

Day of the Dead Altars

Another part of the Day of the Dead celebration are the altars to commemorate the deceased. We came back two days later to see the altars in Grand Park in front of the LA City Hall. My photos of the altars are on a slide show. Go directly to

http://www.peggysphotos.com/los–angeles–day–of–the–dead–altars–1/

and

http://www.peggysphotos.com/day–of–the–dead–altars–2/

or to Slide Shows, United States, California–1, “Los Angeles: Day of the Dead Altars–1 and –2.”