Day of the Dead

El Día de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead has been celebrated in Mexico, since the year 1800 B.C. It is the day in which the living remember their departed relatives during last days of October.

Many customs are associated with this day. In the home an altar is made with an offering of food beautifully arranged with flowers, marigolds (zempasuchitl) which are the traditional flower of the dead. There is a candle upon it. It is believed that the dead partake of the food in spirit and the living eat it later. Mementos, photos, and other remembrances of the dead are also adorning the offering.

Special sugar skulls (bought from the bakeries with the names of each on of the members of the family who are alive and of the deceased), candied fruit and pumpkins, tamales (corn meal with meat or raising wrapped in corn husk) and maize dough cakes, as well as enchiladas and chalupas (thicker corn tortillas with topings) are also a part of the offerings.

Beverages including water, coffee, beer, tequila, and atole (corn starch fruit flavored hot drink, a special drink made from corn meal.) are also placed on the memorial.

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Contact Information

Day of the Dead
22nd Floor, Insurgentes sur 800, Colonia del Valle
03100 Mexico City

Tel. +5215687056
contact@visitmexico.com
http://www.visitmexico.com