Here are some things to know about the Day of Dead
1. The holiday dates back thousands of years.
People in pre-Hispanic times believed in the cult of death, that when someone died they would be buried in a petate and their relatives would organize a party to guide them to Mictlan. In addition, they placed food they liked in life, in case they felt hungry.
According to the indigenous vision, On the Day of the Dead, the souls of the deceased return to the living world, where they live in the family and receive nourishment from the food at the altars.
2. The celebration lasts 2 days.
The celebration of the Day of the Dead takes place on November 1 and 2 since it is divided into categories: According to the Catholic calendar, November 1 corresponds to All Saints, a day dedicated to the "little dead" or children, and on November 2 to the Faithful Departed, that is, to adults.
3. Altars are an important tradition.
Every year many families place offerings and altars decorated with cempasúchil flowers, chopped paper, sugar skulls, dead bread, mole or some dish that their relatives liked to whom the offering is dedicated, and as in pre-Hispanic times, incense is placed to aromatize the place. Likewise, the festivities include decorating the tombs with flowers and often making altars on the tombstones, which in indigenous times had a great meaning because it was thought that it helped lead the souls to travel on a good path after death.
Tradition also indicates that, to facilitate the return of souls to earth, cempasuchil flower petals should be spread and candles placed tracing the path they are going to travel so that these souls do not get lost and reach their destination. In ancient times, this road led from the family home to the pantheon where their loved ones rested.
4. On the day of death, Oaxaca hosts a big celebration.
The Day of the Dead celebration in Oaxaca is one of the most significant, other prominent states and places in Mexico during this holiday include: Janitzio and Pátzcuaro in Michoacán, Xochimilco in Mexico City and Cuetzalán in Puebla.
5. UNESCO has recognized it.
UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) declared this celebration an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2008, due to its importance and meaning.
