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Andrea Robledo
Michele Tubbs
Composition I
October 21st, 2020
Compare and Contrast Draft
There is a misconception about Dia De Los Muertos and Halloween being the same
exact holidays. They have some similarities, but it doesn’t exactly mean that they are the exact
same thing. Many people in the United States believe that Dia De Los Muertos is simply the
“Mexican Halloween” when it’s so much more than that. Many people ask, “How is this
Mexican tradition any different from Halloween? They involve dressing up and putting up
skeletons, right?” And though that may be somewhat true, it isn’t really what many think it is.
Dia De Los Muertos and Halloween originated thousands of years ago, which may give
people the thought that they are the same. Dia De Los Muertos originated in Mexico, of course
because of its name being in Spanish. Millions of people take this day to celebrate the
remembrance of those who have passed away. For Dia De Los Muertos, people say that it is the
one time of the year where the spirits of the dead cross over to the land of the living to come
collect offerings that are given by those who are living. It can be candy, food, wine, cigarettes,
and etc. It doesn’t exactly have to be food. The offerings given to the spirits are often what the
spirits used to enjoy when they were alive. A famous example would have to be from the
Disney movie “Coco” when Miguel’s family is preparing for the celebration. In a shot, you are
able to see food left out on an ofrenda, or home altar so that the deceased may come and take
it.
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Unlike Halloween, Dia De Los Muertos does not involve trick or treating. In fact,
Halloween is not even celebrated in Mexico. Also being an annual celebration, Halloween is
considered to be the holiday where people get to become someone or something else for one
night to receive a treat from people, and if not, there would be a trick that will follow. Millions
of people celebrate Halloween in the United States, and it is extremely popular today, however,
there is a popular belief that Halloween is the one day where Satanic and witchcraft activity is
at an all time high. Those who are Jehova’s Witness, Jewish, and Muslim don’t celebrate the
holiday for origin reasons and association with Satanism and Paganism. It also includes about
20% of those who are Christian with reasons being that they believe it is simply the devil’s
birthday. Dia De Los Muertos does not have people practicing any dark magic, Satanism, or
witchcraft to pay respects to those spirits who are crossing over to the living world.
Halloween and Dia De Los Muertos are two holidays/celebrations that are considered
alike by many people. Sure, both celebrations involve skeletons and candy, but Dia De Los
Muertos is nothing like Halloween despite having their similarities. With one holiday being
celebrated primarily in the United States, Ireland (where it originated), and Canada whereas the
other holiday is only celebrated in Mexico. It’s always important to know the differences
between the two. In this time and age, it may be deemed as offensive to say that Dia De Los
Muertos is just “Mexico’s Halloween” when there are many differences than one may think.
