If you've seen the movie Coco, you're probably familiar with the Mexican tradition of Día de los Muertos, or "Day of the Dead". The holiday centers around remembering the lives of loved ones who have passed on. It lasts two days, with November 1 being the day for children and November 2 being the day for adults. While some may think it is a day of mourning, Día de los Muertos honors departed loved ones and is a day of celebration.
This week, I learned about the tradition of celebrating Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead. This holiday is predominantly celebrated in Mexico, but there are other Latin American countries that celebrate as well, like Guatemala. Families will create beautiful and vibrant ofrendas, or offerings, for their departed family members. The ofrendas are decorated with marigolds, or cempasúchiles, that act as a light to guide spirits back to their families. There are also photos of the departed family members, their favorite foods and drinks, and other things the person liked in life. Visits to the cemetery are also common, with families bringing food and drink to share during their visit, along with laughter and stories of the departed.
