5293158 Popular Culture Assignment

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Chamberlain College of Nursing *

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Anthropology

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Nov 24, 2024

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Surname 1 Student's Name Instructor's Name Class Name Date The Day of the Dead as a Popular Culture Introduction The first time I had a glimpse of the cultural phenomenon of The Day of the Dead was in my favorite animation, Coco. The film is inspired by the tradition of this culture and represents the Mexican customs of contemporary society. The Day of the Dead, popular in Spanish as Dia de Muertos, is a widespread cultural phenomenon celebrated throughout Latin America, especially in Mexico. The festival, which usually attracts global participation, is celebrated annually on the 1 st and 2 nd of November in honor of deceased loved ones (Barlas). This traditional event involves various customs and rituals, including parades, the decoration of graves, the offering of food and drinks to the departed, and the creation altars. People of all ages and from different ethnic grounds celebrate The Day of the Dead in Latin America. According to Arredondo and Casillas (225), popular culture is the cultural activities and products that are popular and widespread among people. They further note that popular culture is a crucial aspect of a society as it reflects the practices, values, and beliefs of the people participating. This paper explores and examines The Day of the Dead (Dia de Muertos) as an essential Latin American popular culture element. Background Dia de Muertos is a highly popular event that originated from the indigenous people of Mexico and significantly spread to other parts of the world. The origins of the celebrations can

Surname 2 be dated back to the pre-Columbian era and during the Aztec civilization, when it was believed that the dead could come back to be with their loved ones in the living world. Various social, historical, and cultural factors have shaped the tradition over time (Cano & Mysyk 879). For instance, it is associated with Catholic traditions as it is celebrated on the 1 st and 2 nd of November, which coincides with the Catholic holidays of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day. Participants from all ages and backgrounds, especially in Latin America, paint their faces and dress up in costumes to resemble death-related symbols such as skeletons. These celebrations are meant to remember and honor the dead. I collected my information through various resources such as news reports, videos, and academic articles. I also visited Mexico during the event and had informal conversations with people from various ethnic groups, regions, and socioeconomic backgrounds. These sources enabled me to better understand the significance of the Dia de Muertos celebration to different communities. In conducting the research, I adhered to strict anthropological ethics, ensuring anonymity for all participants and informing our local contact of the purpose of our observation and participation in the celebrations. I also requested the participants' permission to use the information in this paper and gave them the option to change their names. The Day of the Dead is an intriguing topic in anthropology since it reflects the intricate nature of cultural practices in Latin America. Besides people coming together to celebrate life and honor the dead, the celebrations also reflect the blending of Catholic and indigenous traditions unique to the region. Both traditions are rooted in the indigenous belief that death is a natural part of life's cycle and that the dead continue to exist in another realm (Linares & Noticias). This blending of traditions reflects the cultural integration that has occurred in Latin America.

Surname 3 Significance of The Day of the Dead Dia de Muertos is an essential tradition for people who celebrate it, particularly in Latin America, where it is deeply rooted in the region's history and culture. The tradition is a celebration of life that brings people from different regional, socioeconomic, and ethnic backgrounds to celebrate the lives of their deceased loved ones. One of the participants in the event stated, "Dia de Muertos is not just a celebration; it is a way of life. It is a reflection of our culture's beliefs and values." The festival has significantly spread outside of Latin America, with people from different cultures adapting the tradition to their cultures (Linares & Noticias). The Day of the Dead festival is celebrated by rural and urban populations, with participants traveling worldwide to experience the celebrations in Latin America. Rural communities consider the festival a celebration of their ancestors' lives and a way of preserving their cultural heritage. In contrast, the urban community mainly views it as an opportunity to gather and celebrate their city's cultural diversity (Arredondo et al., 238). Factors like socioeconomic status do not influence people's participation in Dia de Muertos, as the festival is celebrated by people from all walks of life and across all economic strata (Perkin). The Dia de Muertos celebrations have evolved with time, and significant changes have occurred. One of the most notable changes is the number of participants. With the growth of social media and globalization, people worldwide can participate and share their experiences of The Day of the Dead. Additionally, American Halloween has influenced the current Dia de Muertos celebrations, carrying a new meaning to the festival's original meaning of celebrating the dead (VOA News). Formerly, the festival included building home altars to honor the dead, while in contemporary society, it is more of an opportunity for people to get together to celebrate life.

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Surname 4 The festival's popularity has significantly impacted other fields, such as art and economics. Dia de Muertos has become a global phenomenon, acting as a source of inspiration for writers, artists, and filmmakers. Businesses have also commercialized the business by using it as a marketing tool. According to Cano and Mysyk, the celebrations have become so popular that they have significantly impacted the economy in Latin American countries, especially Mexico (891). This is because cultural tourism resulting from the Dia de Muertos event has driven tourism, increasing local communities' revenue. Dia de Muertos has also significantly impacted art, as it has acted as a source of inspiration for writers, artists, and filmmakers (Peterson). The Day of the Dead has also impacted politics in Latin America in recent years since the event has been used as a platform for social commentary and political activism (Vidal). Conclusion The Day of the Dead, also known as Dia de Muertos, is a widespread cultural phenomenon in Latin America with deep roots in the indigenous culture. People from diverse groups, socioeconomic backgrounds, and ethnic groups from rural and urban areas participate in these celebrations. The tradition has evolved, integrating Catholic and American cultures due to the growth of its participants. The growth can be attributed to globalization and increased social media usage. Additionally, while specific customs and traditions may differ from region to region, the primary reason for the celebration remains the same: celebrating life and honoring the deceased loved ones. Through conversations with people more knowledgeable about the culture, I discovered that the Day of the Dead is an essential tradition that brings various communities together to celebrate their cultural heritage. Works Cited

Surname 5 Arredondo, Adelina, and Cristina Casillas. "Rituals Around Life and Death in Mexico; The Day of the Dead." Death Across Cultures , 2019, pp. 225-242. Barlas, Rebekah. "What is the Day of the Dead? | National Geographic." YouTube , National Geographic, 1 Nov. 2017, www.youtube.com/watch?v=_sSawpU81cI. Cano, Lucero M., and Avis Mysyk. "Cultural tourism, the state, and Day of the Dead." Annals of Tourism Research , vol. 31, no. 4, 2014, pp. 879-898. Linares, Albinson, and Noticias Telemundo. "Here's What the Day of the Dead Means, and Why It Endures." NBC News , 31 Oct. 2022, www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/what-is-dia-de- los-muertos-day-of-dead-rcna54794. Perkin, Deborah. "Mexico's Celebration of Life: The Day of the Dead | Festivals | TRACKS." YouTube , 18 Aug. 2020, www.youtube.com/watch?v=BT0Q89itsOo. Peterson, Jeff. "18 Things You Might Not Know About Mexico's Day." ProQuest | Better Research, Better Learning, Better Insights , 31 Oct. 2017, www.proquest.com/docview/1961477190/EAEA60D409234368PQ/13. Vidal, Omar. "In Mexico, Every Day Has Become Day of the Dead." Mexico News Daily , 2 Nov. 2022, mexiconewsdaily.com/columns/in-mexico-every-day-has-become-day-of- the-dead/. VOA News. "Mexico's Day of the Dead Is a Celebration of Life." VOA , 31 Oct. 2022, www.voanews.com/a/mexico-s-day-of-the-dead-is-a-celebration-of-life/6812347.html.

5293158 Popular Culture Assignment

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