This year, Karla Frey faced challenges completing her usual tribute at her home in Boucherville, Quebec. Two months ago, her young neighbor and his mother passed away in a tragic car accident. She recalls the boy’s annual visits, showing curiosity about her tribute altar, which she has been setting up for 15 years to honor departed loved ones. Despite the heaviness of the mother and son’s deaths, Frey persevered and completed the altar, arranging picture frames, candles, decorative bread (pan de muerto), papel picado, mezcal, tequila, and cempasuchil (Mexican marigolds).
“I thought about how much the young neighbor cherished life. He admired my tribute, so I included a piece for him and his mother,” shared Frey, gazing at a photo of the neighbors on the altar. This year, the boy will be remembered in a different way.
El Dia de Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a multi-day festivity from late October to early November deeply rooted in Indigenous customs, celebrated grandly throughout Mexico. It involves honoring departed family, friends, children, and pets by reflecting, celebrating, and embellishing graves, cemeteries, streets, and homes with vibrant colors, reviving the deceased through memories and love.
In Quebec, the Mexican community upholds these ancestral customs, connecting with their roots. For Frey, who hadn’t observed Dia de Muertos while in Mexico City, the holiday serves as a link between Quebec and her homeland.
Embracing death through memories of life, Frey annually gathers friends to share reminiscences of their loved ones. She places mezcal, water, and tequila on her altar, believing the deceased are thirsty upon their visit. The aroma of copal incense and photos guide them to the proper altar. She emphasizes the significance of remembering the departed to prevent them from perishing again, this time from sorrow.
Over time, channeling her emotions into the tributes aided Frey in coping with her father’s demise. She views it as an opportunity for emotional exchange, stating, “It’s not just emotions; it’s also visual. People must see that the person has departed.”
Having participated in Day of the Dead rituals for years, Gerardo Familiar Ferrer’s perception of the holiday transformed after celebrating with Indigenous friends in Oaxaca, known for its rich Indigenous heritage in southern Mexico. The experience deepened his respect for the tradition.
At his residence in Gatineau, Quebec, Familiar Ferrer’s altar holds a small box with names of departed loved ones, including his grandmother. His understanding of the customs enables him to share Dia de Muertos with others.
Groups of individuals seeking to explore Dia de Muertos have gathered at UNAM-Canada in Gatineau, immersing themselves in a journey through a simulated cave setting, crucial for comprehending the Mexican holiday. This educational tour, running until November 8, offers insights into Mexican culture.
In Montreal, Rafael Benitez, interim director of PAAL Partageons le monde, organizes the city’s Dia de Muertos festival, using the event to cope with personal losses and connect with others. Through themed altars, the festival promotes intercultural dialogue, showcasing the resilience of Indigenous peoples in preserving ancestral traditions.
Benitez emphasizes the festival’s role in fostering intercultural dialogue and honoring the struggles of Indigenous communities. The event serves as a platform for sharing traditions and promoting cultural exchange.
Mexican Quebecers stress that Dia de Muertos is not about fear but about reflection and celebration of departed loved ones. Frey, with a radiant smile, highlights the joyous nature of the day, encouraging remembrance and appreciation for life. Through her meticulously curated tributes, she intends to show her daughters the love she holds for her family and hopes they will honor her likewise when the time comes.
The festival serves as a means for individuals to process grief and celebrate life, fostering a sense of unity and cultural appreciation.
