Día de los Muertos translates to Day of the Dead in English. It is celebrated on November 1 and 2. It is a time when people of Mexican and Latin American heritage remember their ancestors. They celebrate members of their family who have passed away. Death can be a very serious subject. However, Día de los Muertos is a celebration of life, featuring bright colors, joyful music, and delicious food.
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Families build ofrendas, or altars. They can include candles, pictures, and treats for the souls of their ancestors.
Día de los Muertos began as a holiday in Mexico. In the Americas, cultures such as the Aztec had their own beliefs about death. They believed that after people died, their souls remained connected to the living. People would leave offerings of food and gifts to the spirits of their loved ones. When Spanish colonizers came to Mexico, they brought their own beliefs about the dead from the Roman Catholic Church. These included two days to remember the dead. All Saints Day is on November 1. All Souls Day is on November 2. Today, Mexicans combine iIndigenous traditions and Catholic traditions on these dates for Día de los Muertos.
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Pan de muerto is a traditional food for Día de los Muertos. It is a special bread that is marked with a cross.
Día de los Muertos traditions include leaving offerings of candles, flowers, food, and drinks for departed family members. Some offerings are left in family homes. Others are left in graveyards. Decorated sugar skulls, or calaveras de azúcar, are a popular treat. So is a special kind of sweet bread called pan de muerto. Families gather to tell stories and remember their loved ones. Some cities have large parties or parades that include music, dancing, and people dressing in skeleton costumes.
Día de los Muertos has become a major event in the United States as well. Many people with Mexican heritage throughout the United States celebrate it. The largest Día de los Muertos celebration in the United States takes place in San Antonio, Texas. It includes a parade of floats on the San Antonio River as well as musical celebrations and art shows.
What Do You Think? What ways do you think you can celebrate your ancestors?
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