Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a Mexican and Mexican-American holiday celebrated on November 1st and November 2nd. It is a special time where Mexican-Americans celebrate the connection between life and death. Families honour their loved ones that have passed away by making thoughtful offerings in the form of altars. Some people celebrate the holiday for the whole month of October, and some make a distinction between November 1 (el Día de los Angelitos, the day for children) and November 2 (the day for adults). The holiday has evolved as a unique mixture of indigenous traditions and customs derived from All Souls Day in the Catholic religion. |
Because of its importance as a defining aspect of Mexican culture and the unique aspects of the celebrations which have been passed down through generations, Mexico's indigenous festivity dedicated to the dead was recognised by UNESCO as part of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity in 2008. It is an interesting festival,
Although it is a holiday from far away in southern Mexico, it's a holiday one can personalise and integrate into their own religious and cultural beliefs. It is more of a cultural holiday than a religious one. It is a wonderful way to celebrate the memories of loved ones who are now gone... through art, cooking, music, doing activities with your children, recounting family stories, fun times and lessons learned... Not how the person died, but how they lived.