November 2nd- Day of the Dead

The Day of the Dead celebration in Mexico can be traced back for thousands of years. People go to cemeteries &  build altars that they fill with favorite foods & drinks, photos & mementos  of departed loved ones. This is to  encourage the departed to visit & be able to hear the prayers & comments the living are saying to them & for them. It can turn into fun time as happy memories of times spent  with the deceased are shared. This time is planned for all year long. During a three day span families of the deceased clean & decorate the graves. People also set up altars for the offerings in their own homes.  Decorated sugar skulls & Bread of the Dead are just some of the foods made for the festivities. Figurines of Catrinas are one of the most popular decorations for The Day of the Dead. Catrinas are believed to be adaptations of the god that the early Aztecs dedicated their one month celebration to know as The Lady of the Dead. Celebrations are not only in Mexico for this time of year as other religions & cultures also honor their departed during All Souls Day, All Saints Day, Day of the Skulls & quite a few others. Some are celebrated starting November 1st. Okay, that is it for today class. I hope you took notes as there could be a test!

Catrina figurines