The Day of the Dead is a pre-hispanic ritual that has been celebrated for over 3 thousand years. Celebrated on November 1st and 2nd in Mexico, it coincides with the Catholic celebrations of All Saint’s Day and All Souls Day. UNESCO declared this festivity a Cultural World Heritage in November 2003

Better known as Día de los Muertos in Mexico, this holiday is celebrated throughout the country and focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died. Traditions connected with the holiday include building private altars honoring the deceased using sugar skulls, marigolds, and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed and visiting graves with these as gifts. They also leave possessions of the deceased.

Scholars trace the origins of the modern Mexican holiday to indigenous observances dating back hundreds of years and to an Aztec festival dedicated to the goddess Mictecacihuatl.