Sunday, October 02, 2011

Nov 1 and 2: Dia de Los Muertos

Magnet el Dia de Los Muertos  by trudeau
Magnet el Dia de Los Muertos , a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Day of the Dead (Spanish: Día de los Muertos) is a Mexican holiday, says Wikipedia.

The holiday focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died. It is particularly celebrated in Mexico, where it attains the quality of a National Holiday.

The celebration takes place on November 1st and 2nd, in connection with the Catholic holidays of All Saints' Day (November 1) and All Souls' Day (November 2).

Traditions connected with the holiday include building private altars honoring the deceased using sugar skulls, marigolds, and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed and visiting graves with these as gifts.