By Ethereal Reyes, Nov. 8, 2022
Olvera Street in Los Angeles was lined with altars adorned in cempasúchil, or marigolds, as crowds enjoyed the deep sounds of drums and brass instruments on Nov. 1, the first official day of Día de los Muertos. Music and burning sage filled the air as people celebrated Día de los Muertos, the Mexican holiday traditionally thought to reunite the living and the dead through festivities.
With Central LA’s Hispanic population being 46.1%, Día de los Muertos holds major significance to the area, specifically Olvera Street, the historic Mexican marketplace in downtown LA that is a part of El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historic Monument.
People mask themselves with skulls for Día de los Muertos to represent their ancestors and death, as a normal stage of human life.
Ofrendas, which translates to offering, are made to honor the dead for Día de los Muertos. Ofrendas are normally dedicated to specific people who have passed and are festooned with photos, candles, water, sweets and their favorite foods.
The strong smell of cempasúchil, or marigolds, is traditionally used for Día de los Muertos as it is said to guide the dead to their ofrendas or offerings.
Visitors were invited to recognize their deceased loved ones with colorful heart shaped papers and pens. Someone even wrote “Itaewon 10.29.22” in relation to the deadly South Korean crowd crush that took place during Halloween weekend.
Olvera Street is a popular place for Día de los Muertos celebrations in the greater Los Angeles area.
Feature image courtesy of Ethereal Reyes