Dia de los Muertos

One of the most celebrated and sacred rituals in Mexico, "El Dia de los Muertos" has been observed by indigenous peoples for about 3,000 years. Because of its proximity to Halloween and connection to death, the Day of the Dead is often associated with fearsome ghouls and scary tale -but, in actuality, this holiday is not a mourning, but a celebration of life, giving people the chance to lovingly remember and praise lost loved ones.

Day of All Souls or Day of the Dead is an uniquely Mexican holiday celebrated annually on November 1-2 when residents honor the lives of relatives and friends who passed away. This celebration began before the Spanish Inquisition, and is still practiced to this day through a variety of rituals with religious services, cemetery vigils and lively food and music festivals. People go to cemeteries to be with the souls of the departed and build private altars containing the favorite foods and beverages, lit candles, as well as photos and memorabilia of the departed. The intent is to encourage visits by the souls, so that the souls will hear the prayers and the comments of the living directed to them.

Celebrations can even take a lighthearted tone, as celebrants remember funny events and anecdotes about the departed. They also decorate their graves with ofrendas, or offerings of flowers, toys, or even bottles of tequila or candies. Ofrendas are also placed in homes, usually with foods including candied pumpkin, pan de muerto, and sugar skulls. If you happen to be in Los Cabos at this time of year, join in the celebration. It's a uniquely Mexican event that truly captures the spirit of the nation.

The Day of the Dead is also observed in parts of America within Mexican communities. No matter where it is celebrated, the Day of the Dead provides people with a meaning for human existence, allowing them to lovingly and happily remember relatives they have lost.