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Write 5 pages thesis on the topic hispanic culture and events

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Write 5 pages thesis on the topic hispanic culture and events. Scholars have traced the origins of the holiday to its, particularly Mexican roots. When Spanish Conquistadors landed in Latin America nearly 500 years ago, they encountered the celebration and interpreted as mocking the death. They attempted to eradicate the holiday with mixed success, which resulted in it being merged with Catholic traditions. The cultural differences seemed to be related to the Spanish who believed that life ends at death, where the El dia de Los Muertos holiday celebrates the continuation of life after death.

Going back as far as 3000 years, the holiday originated in the 9th month of the Aztec calendar to celebrate goddess, who was the Aztec’s ‘Lady of the Dead.’ While it occurs very close to Halloween, many people wrongly assume the two holidays are similar, when in actuality Day of the Dead shares little in common with the American holiday. however, there are similar occurrences in Brazil (Dia de Finados) where Brazilians visit cemeteries, and in Spain where after parades people gather at cemeteries to recognize the dead. 

During the holiday people visit cemeteries and pay homage to the dead. They leave pictures, flowers, food, and even share humorous and stories with the graves with the hopes of encouraging the souls to return and join in the celebration. During the holiday, people visit and clean the graves and leave ofrendas (offerings). Specifically, they leave orange marigolds called cempasuchitl. Today they are sometimes called Flor de Muerto (Flower of the Dead). Other ofrendas include toys for the children and tequila for adults. Many people leave ofrendas in homes believing that the souls’ of the dead visit and eat the essence of the food left. Some people leave blankets and pillows out so the dead can rest after their journey, and in many townspeople spend the night and picnic at the graves. Some people build shrines in their homes that combine elements of Christianity – crosses, replicas of the Virgin Mary – with traditional ofrendas.