Day of the Dead (Spanish: Día
de
Muertos) is a Mexican holiday
celebrated throughout Mexico, in particular the Central and South regions, and
by people of Mexican ancestry living in other places, especially the United
States. It is acknowledged internationally in many other cultures. The
multi-day holiday focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and
remember friends and family members who have died, and help support their
spiritual journey. In 2008 the tradition was inscribed in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.
The holiday is
sometimes called Día de los
Muertos in Anglophone countries, a back-translation of
its original name, Día de
Muertos. It is particularly celebrated in Mexico where the day is a public holiday. Prior to Spanish colonization in the 16th century, the celebration
took place at the beginning of summer. Gradually it was associated with October
31, November 1 and November 2 to coincide with the Western
Christian triduum
of All
hallowtide: All Saints' Eve, All Saints' Day,
and All Souls' Day. Traditions connected with the holiday include building private altars called ofrendas, honoring the deceased using sugar skulls, marigolds, and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed, and visiting
graves with these as gifts. Visitors also leave possessions of the deceased at
the graves.
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