“Dia de los Muertos” is Latin Americas version of Halloween except it’s the dead who get ‘dressed up’ rather than the living. On November 1st and 2nd, observers of this holiday honoring loved ones who have passed away spend the day at cemeteries decorating gravesites with traditional ornamentation, and often have meals consisting of the deceased’s favorite foods. Marigold’s (cempasúchitls), sugar skulls, candles, colorful ‘papel picado’ and comical skeleton figurines are placed on gravesites or in private altars erected in homes honoring their loved ones.
In most regions of Mexico, November 1st honors children and infants, and is generally known as “Día de los Inocentes” (Day of the Innocents) or “Día de los Angelitos” (Day of the Little Angels). Adults are honored on November 2nd , “Día de los Muertos” or “Día de los Difuntos” (Day of the Dead or Deceased).
Having fully embraced Halloween, the American holiday honoring the dead, by dressing-up as ghoulish characters from beyond, it’s nice to honor our loved ones in this colorful and happy Latin American tradition where their resting places are clad in finery and families gather to remember their relatives while enjoying the same trappings they once enjoyed together.
Feliz Dia de los Muertos to all!
