La Dia De Los Muertos or the Day of the Dead is a Mexican holiday that is celebrated on November 1 st and 2 nd every year to honor the dead. Family and friends gather together to remember loved ones that have previously passed away. In Mexico it is treated as a National Holiday and everything shuts down for it. The graves are decorated using flowers, gifts, crafts and treats such as sugar skulls and other foods. These are known as alters where the dead lay, and the living bring gifts and food. Dia de los Muertos dates back thousands of years when the Aztecs would honor a goddess that had passed away. In those times it was a ritual to keep the skulls of the deceased so they could later bring the person back from the dead by using it.
People dress up during this occasion, but it is not in a scary or sad remembrance. They use these days to remember the good times that they had with their loved ones. This holiday is a celebration, it is supposed to be fun in remembrance and honor of those no longer with us. They give the deceased food so they can have something to eat on their journey to the afterlife, while also being able to allow them to rest in peace. Some families even eat at the grave sites of their loved ones to show that they are still a part of their families.
For more information on the day of the dead, check out the following resources:
Day of the Dead History
Day of the Dead Educator Materials
Article written by Janice D. McDonald