One of my favorite Mexican Holidays is approaching fast. I feel like a kid at Christmas, but really I am an expat looking forward to Day of the Dead. Last year I was invited to the inaugural ceremony of Xcaret’s four-day celebration of El Dia de Muertos. That was a spectacular event that had me running around the park taking in so many musical, dance and day of the dead activities! Kids were lined up for face painting, I saw some incredible altars and the cemetery was truly the highlight of the evening. This year I decided to do some sugar skull decorating myself, but before I started that project, I wanted to learn more about the history of the sugar skull, the iconic candy and decor for Day of the Dead.
The History of the Sugar Skull – Folk Art at its best
Why the skull? What is so special about the skull? Well, the skull in Mexican culture represents death and rebirth, the entire reason for Day of the Dead celebrations. Local culture believes that the afterlife is as important if not more important than your life on earth. The skull symbolizes both sides, life and the afterlife. The decorating of the skull and how it is decorated reflects the wants, desires, and likes of the deceased family member. This is why you find a name on many sugar skulls. The skull is an ‘ofrenda’ a gift or offering for your relative. It is a whimsical offering, a kind gesture, a present that was designed for that particular person. By no means is this a scary object or meant to be scary. Some sugar skulls have cowboy hats, some are laced with sugar roses. All have a ton of bling making this a fun creation.
Using sugar as the base for the skull started in the 18th century. Once the Spanish invaded Mexico and decided that sugar cane was a profitable product for this new world, sugar was in abundance. For economic reasons sugar was used as the paste to mold the skull heads. The molds were created out of clay and have passed from generation to generation. The mold distinguishes one sugar skull from the next. Families who produce the sugar skulls are identified by their unique mold.
The decorating of the sugar skull uses a typical folk art style. Symbols, colors, flowers are big in the Folk Art tradition. This is the part I love, love, love about sugar skulls.
Just in case you were not sure, sugar skulls are not to be eaten. These gifts are iconic Day of the Dead presents that are found throughout the Riviera Maya during the month of October and into the first week of November. They are cheap, found in most stores, and a great souvenir.
Wish me luck on my first sugar skull creation. I am super excited to see if I have it in me to make a beautiful folk art sugar skull. If I don’t, I can always just make cookies out of my less than spectacular attempt.