For some, Halloween and Thanksgiving are the only holidays they celebrate in the fall season. However, another popular holiday celebrated around this time is Dìa de los Muertos.

What is Día de los Muertos, and what is its history?

Día de los Muertos, also known as Day of the Dead, is a holiday celebrated by families of Mexican descent from all over the world on the first and second of November. This holiday dates back to about 3,000 years ago and was first celebrated by the Aztecs, who perceived death to be an essential part of life. 

It focuses on the rituals of honoring deceased ancestors. Most importantly, it is a time to get together with family and celebrate deceased loved ones. 

“(It is) enjoying the lives that you and your family have, and the people that you have lost,” building substitute Cuevas Gustavo said. “You try to include them in the celebration because that’s the time when they’re supposedly closest to you.”

The belief behind this holiday was that once a person dies, they travel to Chicunamictlán, the Land of the Dead, where they have to face nine challenging levels after several years to reach their final resting place of Mictlán.

How is Día de los Muertos celebrated?

There are many ways to celebrate Día de los Muertos. One way is to set up altars, also called ofrendas.

The altars are typically set up in one’s living room and are used to welcome home the souls of the dead.

The altar usually has pictures of the deceased loved one along with their favorite things, such as food, candles, marigolds and other decorations. 

One way that they specifically celebrate in Mexico is by going to the gravesite and spending all day and night at the graves of their loved ones.

“For Mexico from what I’ve experienced is (that) we go to their gravesites … they have the typical Day of the Dead flower and (they) decorate their grave … ” senior Mayra Amantecatl said. “They just go there and celebrate them.”

Food and Decorations

One crucial part when celebrating Día de los Muertos is the various foods and decorations. Food in particular is a vital part when celebrating. 

Family members cook various recipes that their loved ones enjoyed, such as their favorite foods and different desserts as well.

Some of the traditional foods that they make include mole, tamales, pan de Muertos and sopa Azteca. 

“The food represents trying to include them, because when you come together for a family meal, alive or dead, you are trying to show them ‘The food that you liked in the living is still there when you’re dead,’” Gustavo said.

Decorations such as sugar skulls are one of the biggest things people use when celebrating and decorating.

They are traditionally created as gifts for Día de los Muertos for the family to use to decorate their ofrendas and graves. The bright colors of the skulls represent the departed soul.

The traditional flower, Marigold, is also a decoration that is commonly used. They use them to decorate altars and graves. 

“The flower itself is just because it has a strong smell,” Amantecatl said. “It is supposed to lure them to your house or bring them in and welcome them because of the strong smell. It is supposed to be welcoming and calming.”