Dia de los Muertos, The Day of The Dead, is a two day-long festival celebrated in central and southern Mexico during the chilly days of November. It starts Sunday, November 1 and ends on Monday, November 2. The Mexicans celebrate The Day of The Dead because they believe that the gates of heaven are opened at midnight on October 31, and the spirits of all the deceased children are allowed to reunite with their families for 24 hours. On November 2, the spirits of the adults come down to enjoy the festivities that are prepared for them. On the afternoon of November 2, the festivities are taken to the cemetery. People clean tombs, play cards, listen to the village band and reminisce about their loved ones. Tradition keeps the village close. Day of the Dead is becoming very popular in the U.S. ~ perhaps because we don't have a way to celebrate and honor our dead, or maybe it's because of our fascination with its mysticism. They are decorated with candles, buckets of flowers (wild marigolds called cempasuchil & bright red cock's combs) mounds of fruit, peanuts, plates of turkey mole, stacks of tortillas and big Day-of-the-Dead breads called pan de muerto. The altar needs to have lots of food, bottles of soda, hot cocoa and water for the weary spirits. Toys and candies are left for the children, and on Nov. 2, cigarettes and shots of mezcal are offered to the adult spirits. Little folk art skeletons and sugar skulls, purchased at open-air markets, provide the final touches.
Courtesy of:
http://www.mexicansugarskull.com/support/dodhistory.html
Courtesy of:
http://www.mexicansugarskull.com/support/dodhistory.html