# @elchilangles on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/CzRwUPNvL8X
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/61874277-elchilangles-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/ed4dfd92d7.jpg
- **Posted:** 2023-11-05T20:15:51.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Martín El Chilanglés (@elchilangles) — https://gondola.cc/elchilangles

## Caption

#DiaDeLosMuertos or #DayOfTheDead is a pre-Hispanic #Mexican #tradition dating back at least a thousand years before the arrival of the #Spanish #conquistadores. Traditionally a very intimate family affair celebrating death as an intimate part of the cycle of life, almost every #MexicanFamily makes an altar with a photo of their deceased relatives in their home, as well as putting out their favourite food, besides #candles, #incense, colourful decorated paper and some delicious and seasonal #pastries as it was believed the relatives would come back and eat them. It certainly is a vast difference from Mexican and #Anglo cultures when exploring the subject, as Mexican Nobel Laureate Octavio Paz once said:

“The word “death” is not pronounced in #NewYork, #Paris, #London, because it burns the lips… The Mexican, in contrast, is familiar with death, jokes about it, caresses it, sleeps with it, celebrates it; it is one of his favourite toys and his most steadfast love”. 

Yesterday I was at a friend’s house for dinner and her 10 year old was proud of showing me their family’s altar. She then then went and listed every deceased family member as she stated “he is dead, she is dead, he is also dead, etc, etc” in a way which I thought wow - We really shield children in “the west” (I hate that term but for ease and this being #Instagram and not a debate platform I’ll go with it!) whereas the Mexican family/children really embraces it which leads to a real respect for death instead of the traditional avoidance we pursue in the west. Personally I think it’s much healthier this way and is one of the many reasons I love #Mexico and Mexican Culture. 

#MexicanCulture #skeleton #visitmexico #insta #instagood #catedral #cdmx #mexicocity #blogger #writersofinstagram

## Stats

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- **Likes:** 27
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## Tags

visitmexico, paris, writersofinstagram, mexicocity, dayofthedead, mexicanfamily, catedral, cdmx, candles, instagram, instagood, blogger, spanish, mexican, newyork, diadelosmuertos, mexico, tradition, london, skeleton, mexicanculture, pastries, conquistadores, incense, insta, anglo

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