El Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead)
From the remote islands of Michoacan to Mexico City between October 31st and November 2nd people busily prepare for a spectacular, perhaps even bizarre celebration to honor those who have passed "El Dia De Los Muertos". It might sound morbid and somber, but it is not; it is a festive and colorful holiday celebrating life of the returning spirits.
In pre-Hispanic times the dead were buried close to family homes and great emphasis was spent on maintaining ties with the departed ancestors, who were believed to continue to exist on a different plane
. The old religions of Mexico saw death as only one cycle of being which was endless; as was the universe which dies and is reborn again and again.
This celebration combines pre-Hispanic Indian beliefs coupled with Catholic traditions of Medieval Spain, thus All Soul's and All Saints' Day practices were commingled with the pre-Hispanic beliefs and customs giving life to the "Day of the Dead" in Mexico.
In pre-Hispanic times the dead were buried close to family homes and great emphasis was spent on maintaining ties with the departed ancestors, who were believed to continue to exist on a different plane
. The old religions of Mexico saw death as only one cycle of being which was endless; as was the universe which dies and is reborn again and again.
This celebration combines pre-Hispanic Indian beliefs coupled with Catholic traditions of Medieval Spain, thus All Soul's and All Saints' Day practices were commingled with the pre-Hispanic beliefs and customs giving life to the "Day of the Dead" in Mexico.
It is the belief that the spirits return to the earth for one day a year to be with their families. The spirits of babies and children who have died (called angelitos, "little Angels") arrive on October 31st at midnight, and waiting for them on altars are their favorite sweets, toys and flowers. By noon November 1st they leave and the souls of the departed adults begin to return.
These spirits are greeted with offerings (Ofrendas) of food and the earthly things they enjoyed in life. Other item placed on the altar include sugar skulls, 
often with the person's name inscribed on the top. Pan de muerto a special sweet bread made especially for the season. Many candles, portraits of the departed and garlands of cempa
suchil (Marigolds) which bloom this time of year and has a special fragrance lending itself to the altar and celebrations.
Entire families wash the tombstones of their departed and decorate them with garlands of marigolds, and the beloved calla lilies, daisies and hollyhocks and baby breathe.
It is a day steeped in history and legend and is celebrated in one form or another throughout the world by different cultures in different ways, but all remembering and honoring their ancestors.
often with the person's name inscribed on the top. Pan de muerto a special sweet bread made especially for the season. Many candles, portraits of the departed and garlands of cempa
suchil (Marigolds) which bloom this time of year and has a special fragrance lending itself to the altar and celebrations.Entire families wash the tombstones of their departed and decorate them with garlands of marigolds, and the beloved calla lilies, daisies and hollyhocks and baby breathe.
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