Pre -Hispanic cultures believed that, through this offering, the passage of People at other levels of the underworld, until they reach eternal rest.
However, with the arrival of The Spaniards this tradition merged with the beliefs of the Catholic religion imposed, giving rise to both the altars of the dead and the famous Dulce Calaveritas that we know today.
The Alfeñique
One of the techniques that the Spaniards introduced in Mexico, was the alafeñique, which in turn has its origin in the Arab culture. Thus, the aveñique uses sugar, hot water, egg white and lemon to create a caramel similar mass called «chautle» and thus, make different figures, such as the Famous sweet caveritas for the day of the dead.
Although its elaboration is delicate, With the Alfeñique it is possible to do not only skullsbut also coffins, tombs, mariachis, cooks, calacas and catrinas, which are usually placed in the offerings. Currently, the Alfeñique is a recognized technique that even has festivals in states such as Puebla, Guanajuato, State of Mexico, Michoacán and Oaxaca, where you can see how artisans work this technique with different molds.
How are Alfeñique's skulls elaborate?
The process to make caveritas With the Alfeñique technique it is called «empty», in which sugar dissolves in water and is boiled for half an hour until thickened, adding a little lemon. Once the mixture is thick, the artisans beat quickly to crystallize and can be emptied in mud molds, although they are also used with wood and bronze.
When sugar begins to curdle, The mold turns quickly so that a little of the inner honey drains and the skulls are hollow. Finally, The skulls are removed from the mold already dry and decorate with «Betún», made with egg white, gloss sugar and dyes.