The Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos) is a popular holiday celebrated throughout Latin American countries.Latin American Though now tied to the Roman Catholic feast days of All Hallows' Eve, All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day (October 31-November 2), the Day of the Dead is rooted in the observances followed by Native Americans for centuries prior to the Spanish conquests.Roman CatholicNative Americans DIA DE LOS MUERTOS - DAY OF THE DEAD

According to popular belief, the angelitos (deceased children) return on the evening of October 31 and the adults on the following night, although the dates in local celebrations vary all the way from October 28 to November 4. As with the Neo-Pagan celebration of Halloween, the Day of the Dead is seen as a time in which the spirits of the departed are seen as especially close and communication is possible. It is a time of remembrance, and the sorrow of the departure of loved ones is caught up in a celebration of the continuance of life.

Origins The origins of the Day of the Dead celebrations in Mexico can be traced back to the indigenous peoples of the area, such as the Aztec, Maya, P'urhépecha, Nahua, and Totonac.AztecMaya P'urhépechaNahuaTotonac Rituals celebrating the lives of ancestors have been observed by these civilizations perhaps for as long as 3000 years.[1] In the pre-Hispanic era, it was common to keep skulls as trophies and display them during the rituals to symbolize death and rebirth.[1] The festival that became the modern Day of the Dead fell in the ninth month of the Aztec calendar, about the beginning of August, and was celebrated for an entire month.Aztec calendar

The festivities were dedicated to the goddess Mictecacihuatl,[2] known as the "Lady of the Dead",Mictecacihuatl[2] corresponding to the modern Catrina.Catrina A common symbol of the holiday is the skull (colloquially called calavera),symbolcalavera which celebrants represent in masks, called calacas (colloquial term for "skeleton"),maskscalacas and foods such as sugar skulls, which are inscribed with the name of the recipient on the forehead.

Beliefs and customs Some Mexicans feel that death is a solemn occasion, but with elements of celebration because the soul is passing into another life. In the belief system underlying the celebration, there are three possible resting places for the departed, one less desirable place called Mictlan and two more desirable. The final resting place is determined by the quality and number of acts committed in this life that were pleasing to the gods. At the time of death, the deceased is given a send-off that will assist in negotiating the passages to his/her final resting place.

In anticipation of the Day of the Dead, People construct altars in homes and graveyards throughout the country in order to feed the souls of the dead. Celebrations begin with the cleaning of the graves and the construction of the ofrenda, or altar. At home this consists of a table or platform hung from the ceiling, covered with a white cloth and supporting an arch of palm fronds.At homefronds The ofrenda are decorated with flowers, particularly the cempasúchil (marigold), the "flower of the dead," as well as the magenta-colored cockscomb, a white gypsophila, gladioli, and carnations. These flowers are thought to attract souls of the dead to the offerings.marigoldcockscomb gypsophilasouls Other altar decorations include images of the deceased as well as papeles picados, colored paper with cutout designs. They also include the Christian Cross, as well as statues of the Virgin Mary.cutout Altars

On the Day of the Dead, the home and/or graveyard is lit with candles, strong incense is burned, and loud music is played as part of the observance to assist the souls in finding their way back from their resting place to join in the celebration.graveyard Toys are brought for dead children (los angelitos, or little angels), and bottles of tequila, mezcal, pulque or atole for adults. Families will also offer trinkets or the deceased's favorite candies on the grave. tequilamezcalpulqueatole The decorations set the stage for a massive party in which music is played, food eaten, and drinks designed appropriately to alter one's consciousness consumed. The pillows and blankets are left out so that the deceased can rest after their long journey. In some parts of Mexico, such as the towns of Mixquic, Pátzcuaro and Janitzio, people spend all night beside the graves of their relatives.MixquicPátzcuaro Janitzio Celebration

Tradition & Change The traditions and activities that take place in celebration of the Day of the Dead are not universal and often vary from town to town. In the United States, interactions between Mexican traditions and American culture are resulting in celebrations in which Mexican traditions are being extended to make artistic or sometimes political statements. In Los Angeles, California, the Self Help Graphics & Art Mexican-American cultural center presents an annual Day of the Dead celebration, that includes both traditional and political elements, such as altars to honor the victims of the Iraq War highlighting the high casualty rate among Latino soldiers.Los Angeles, CaliforniaSelf Help Graphics & ArtIraq War At a cemetery near Hollywood,[6] conventional altars are set up side-by-side with altars to Jayne Mansfield and Johnny Ramone. Colorful native dancers and music intermix with performance artists, while sly pranksters play on traditional themes.Hollywood[6]Jayne MansfieldJohnny Ramoneperformance artistspranksters In San Francisco,[7] at the Galería de la Raza, and in Missoula, Montana, skeletal celebrants on stilts, novelty bicycles, and skis parade through town in a procession.San Francisco[7]Galería de la RazaMissoula, Montana

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