Day of the Dead

The Day of the Dead (or Dia de Muertos) is a Mexican holiday celebrated in the country and elsewhere associated with the Cathloic celebrations of All Saints’ and All Souls’ Day on 1st and 2nd November. The holiday sees family and friends gather to pray for and remember friends and family who have died. It is divided on whether this came from indigenous pre-hispanic roots or if it a rebranded version of a Spanish tradition developed by the presidency of Lazaro Cardenas to encourage Mexican nationalism through an “Aztec” identity. Traditions include building home altars called ofrendas, honouring the deceased using calaveras, aztec marigolds and the favourite foods and beverages of the departed, and visiting graves with these as gifts. Visitors also leave possessions of the deceased at the graves.