Following the year's spookiest holiday, Halloween, Northwest Arkansas prepares for another ancient celebration steeped in tradition. The Day of the Dead, or Dia de los Muertos, takes place Nov. 1-2 -- All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day on the Catholic calendar -- and is a time when the living honor and celebrate loved ones who have passed on.
"Though related, the two annual events differ greatly in traditions and tone," Logan Ward writes in National Geographic. "Whereas Halloween is a dark night of terror and mischief, Day of the Dead festivities unfold over two days in an explosion of color and life-affirming joy."
Day of the Dead, he notes, originated "several thousand years ago with the Aztec, Toltec, and other Nahua people, who considered mourning the dead disrespectful. The dead were still members of the community, kept alive in memory and spirit -- and during Día de los Muertos, they temporarily returned to Earth. Today's Día de los Muertos celebration is a mash-up of pre-Hispanic religious rites and Christian feasts."
Several events in Northwest Arkansas will bring modern versions of the religious tradition to the region as all cultures are invited to participate and share in the holiday's rich customs.
Springdale
The Arts Center of the Ozarks and the Latin Art Organization of Arkansas have collaborated to present a free "celebración" Oct. 30-Nov. 2.
Galería ofrendas/altar exhibition -- Araceli Lopez with Latin Art Organization of Arkansas curates an exhibit of traditional community remembrance altars, or "Ofendas." Built by community members and schoolchildren and showcased in the ACO's main gallery, the altars are decorated with photographs, hand-painted paper maché, sugar skulls, marigolds, trinkets, food for the dead and candles. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. daily Oct. 30-Nov. 1.
Pop-up exhibition -- ACO visual arts director Eve Smith curates a juried pop-up exhibition, displayed in the arts center's upper gallery, featuring local artists' interpretations exploring the traditional Dia de los Muertos art style from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily Oct. 30-Nov. 1.
Catrina Processional -- A parade of the "Catrinas," the traditional makeup and costume associated with Day of the Dead, will gather at 5 p.m. Nov. 2 at Shiloh Square on Emma Avenue, with the processional at 6 p.m. A calavera is a representation of the human skull, and catrina often means well-dressed or dandy. Thus, the iconic La Calavera Catrina character is also known as "The Elegant Death" and Mexico's grande dame of death. The "sugar skull" make-up reflects the culture's view of death as Catrinas' faces are often smiling, happy and ornately decorated in celebration of the memory of loved ones as well as the cycle of life and death. The procession will end at ACO, where food trucks will be parked and Pan de Muertos -- a sweet bread -- will be served.
Dance -- A bilingual performance of traditional Latin folk dance created for family audiences and suitable for everyone, no matter their language or age, will be presented by the Latin Art Organization of Arkansas at 7 p.m. Nov. 2 at ACO.
Details at 751-5441 or acozarks.org.
Bentonville
The Museum of Native American History (MONAH) and the Peel Mansion Museum and Heritage Gardens host a celebration of life during the Bentonville Dia De Los Muertos Festival Nov. 2-3.
Nov. 2 -- The opening celebrations take place 7-9 p.m. at Peel Mansion and feature the art exhibit "Death and Renaissance," a performance by Equilibrium Dance Company from Arkansas Arts Academy titled "Danse Macabre," traditional refreshments and tours to acquaint guests with the traditions of the holiday.
Nov. 3 -- The festival continues all day Nov. 3 with performances -- including the groups Guadalupano, México Lindo y Querido Group, Dhwani, and Mariachi Esencia de América -- traditional crafts and cuisine, bilingual story time at the Bentonville Public Library (10:30 a.m. & 1 p.m.) and a free showing of Disney and Pixar's "Coco" at noon at MONAH.
See the full schedule at monah.us or call 273-2456.
NAN Religion on 10/27/2018