American Girl Josefina & Celebrating Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) Festivals - (Part 2)

In September of 2010 I published my first blog about Dia De Los Muertos - it began

Día de los Muertos is a holiday celebrated in Mexico and by Mexican Americans living in the United States and Canada. As a New Mexican girl growing up in 1824, Josefina would honor her mother's memory by celebrating El Día de los Muertos.  Due to occurring shortly after Halloween, the Day of the Dead is sometimes thought to be a similar holiday, although the two actually have little in common. The Day of the Dead is a time of celebration, where partying is common.  (For more information see my blog posted dated September 7, 2010).

This year I wanted to share more information about this holiday by listing a few of the festivals that occur every year in the United States.   There are major festivals in Houston, Arizona (including Phoenix) and Los Angeles.   I hope that after you read about these festivals you will explore Day of the Dead celebrations near your home.

 LA Day of the Dead:  The 12th annual “Dia de Los Muertos“ will be held at Hollywood Forever, Los Angeles's oldest memorial park, on October 22, 2011, from 12pm-12am. Come join us this year as we welcome, honor and celebrate the memories of the beloved souls. Rejoice and observe the mystical beauty and wonder of this ancient spiritual celebration. Partake of various sacred ceremonial tributes and memorable altar creations on the grounds of the historic Hollywood Forever cemetery.

Phoenix Area  Many Valley cities host Day of the Dead celebrations each year on the first two days of November. People will sometimes don wooden skull masks and dance to honor deceased loved ones. The wooden skulls, or calacas, are also placed on altars. A relative or a friend often eats sugar skulls, bearing the name of the dead person on the forehead.

More Arizona Events -  Celebrations are held each year in Mesa, Chandler, Guadalupe and at Arizona State University. Although the ritual has since been merged with Catholic theology, it still maintains the basic principles of the Aztec ritual, such as the use of skulls.

Houston Festivals - Celebrate the lives of the loved ones you've lost on Day of the Dead at these Houston area locations, 

Museum of The Americas - Weatherford, Texas - Exhibits and a historical perspective on this Celebration.

Of course our American Girl Doll Josefina with again join the celebration this year.   She has a new costume for the festival.  

American Girl Josefina celebrates Dia de los Muertos

Visit CSBSEWS Doll Clothes for more pictures and information about Josefina's costume.