{"id":859686,"date":"2024-11-03T16:39:00","date_gmt":"2024-11-03T14:39:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tourism.com.de\/?p=859686"},"modified":"2025-02-03T17:58:08","modified_gmt":"2025-02-03T15:58:08","slug":"day-of-the-dead-in-mexico-a-guide-to-holiday-traditions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tourism.com.de\/en\/day-of-the-dead-in-mexico-a-guide-to-holiday-traditions\/","title":{"rendered":"\ud83d\udc80 Day of the Dead in Mexico: a guide to holiday traditions"},"content":{"rendered":"

The phrase “We are alive as long as they remember us” is not empty words for Mexicans<\/a>. Many of them believe that the souls of the deceased are able to briefly visit those who have not forgotten about them. Therefore, every year from mid-autumn in Mexico, preparations begin for one of the largest and brightest holidays in the country – the Day of the Dead (Spanish: El D\u00eda de Muertos). Read more about this fiesta in our article.<\/p>\n

A little history<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The Cult of Death and rituals associated with the commemoration of departed relatives have existed on the American continent for several thousand years. The tradition of celebrating the Day of the Dead is rooted in the pagan beliefs of the indigenous peoples of Mesoamerica – the Aztecs and Mayans.<\/p>\n

The Spanish conquistadors, who came to conquer the lands of the New World, tried with all their might to convert the Indians to the Catholic faith and impose their own culture<\/a>.<\/p>\n

So, for example,<\/a> on November 1, according to the Catholic calendar, All Saints Day is celebrated, and November 2 is All Souls Day. On these days you are supposed to make donations to the church.<\/p>\n

However, local peoples had their own idea of \u200b\u200bhow it should be. As a result: November 1 is the Day of the Angels in Mexico, in honor of deceased children, and November 2 is the Day of the Dead, during which the adult generation<\/a> is remembered. And the offerings are brought not to the church altar, but to the deceased themselves at home altars or cemeteries. And the holiday itself is completely different from a funeral. It\u2019s more of a noisy fun when relatives, even deceased ones, are invited to visit.<\/p>\n

Fun fact:<\/strong> In 2003, UNESCO<\/a> included the Day of the Dead on its list of the Intangible<\/a> Cultural Heritage of Humanity.<\/p>\n

\"In<\/a><\/p>\n

By the 20th century, the holiday had practically lost its relevance. For residents of large cities, it became part of folklore and remained only in the provinces. However, with the growing popularity of American Halloween<\/a>, or rather in contrast to it, the Day of the Dead has been revived again with all its inherent traditions.<\/p>\n

Fun fact:<\/strong> The school calendar lists Day of the Dead as a holiday. Therefore, students' classes have been cancelled. At the same time, the holiday is not official for the working part of the population. These days, the employer is not obliged to give his employees a day off, much less pay double for going to work.<\/p>\n

For the entire period of celebration, altars are built in houses – “ofrendas” with the things of the deceased that were dear to them during their lifetime. All this is decorated with flowers and treats.\u00a0<\/p>\n

What else can you see on the altar?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"In<\/a><\/p>\n

Traditions differ in different regions of the country, but there are basic elements that are most often found on funeral altars:<\/p>\n