Dia De Los Muertos - Day of the Dead Festivities

This celebration is a longstanding tradition, along with festivities, to honor the dead.  It is typically held on Nov. 1, Día de Los Niños (All Saint’s Day)), and Nov. 2, Día de Los Muertos (All Soul’s Day).  This is generally a Spanish, Aztec, Mexican celebration, although anyone can participate, or witness the celebration. If you are new to this festivity, it might remind you of a cross between Mardi Gras and Halloween, with bright colors, costumes, and intricate masks. 

During the time of the Aztecs, a month-long, summer celebration was overseen by the Goddess Mictecacihuatl, the Lady of the Dead.  After the Aztecs were conquered by Spain, and Catholicism became the dominant religion, the customs became intertwined with the Christian commemoration of All Saints' Day on Nov. 1.

During the celebration, the dead are not feared, as on Halloween, but instead are honored and celebrated. Ornate altars are made to welcome home the spirits of the dead. Ofrendas (offerings) are made, and gravesites are elaborately decorated. Typical ofrendas include:

Ø a wash bowl or basin, razors, soap and other items the traveling spirit can use to clean-up after the journey,
Ø pictures and personal items of the deceased,
Ø items that the deceased may have enjoyed in life, i.e. cigarettes, tequila, etc.
Ø candles to light the way for the deceased,
Ø decorative items, such as papel picado, (tissue paper cut-outs), wreaths, crosses and flowers,
Ø dishes to help feed and nourish the traveling souls 

Three specific places to partake in the celebration are: