The Celts celebrated the Day of the Dead in the United Kingdom on October 31st – what’s now Halloween. They believed the spirits rose from the dead on that day every year. They would leave food offerings at their doors – just like giving candy to little trick-or-treaters. They wore masks to scare off or fool the evil spirits into thinking that they were ghosts and ghouls – hence Halloween costumes. Halloween obviously has its roots in this tradition.

The Day of the Dead, Los Dias de los Muertos, takes place between November 1st and 2nd. It’s mainly celebrated in Mexico, the Philippines and some parts of South America. It’s origins in Mexico go back to the Aztecs and Mayans. They believed there was one day in the year when the souls of the dead would visit their loved ones. (The Aztecs actually celebrated the dead for two full months.) They would put out offerings for these spirits. After the Spanish conquest the celebration was mixed with celebrations for the Christian All Saints Day (November 1st) and All Souls Day (November 2nd). On All Souls Day Catholics honor the souls of their dead and pray for them, to help them pass from purgatory to heaven.

Today The Day of the Dead still symbolizes a time when the deceased can come back to earth (in spirit) and partake in the pleasures of the world. This is a time of festivities. Families welcome back the dead and offer them treats on a homemade alter. The treats can include special meals, sweets, cigars, drinks, etc. Some may even leave a place at the dinner table for the departed loved one.

All decorations are supposed to be handmade. Skeletons and skulls are important symbols. Paper chains, banners and flowers are also constructed. Sugar candy skulls and bread, called pan de muertos, in the shape of skulls or decorated with bones, are also made.

One part of The Day of the Dead is building the alter (ofrenda). Photos of the departed are placed on the alter, as well as mementos and flowers. Special candles and incense are lit. The treats are often placed on the alter for the departed to “drink in” its essence. After that, the family and friends share it all.

The families may visit the graves of their loved ones and plant or place flowers on the grave. Marigolds are especially important since they symbolize death. They also place fruit or bread on the grave and light candles. Often families will spend the whole night at the grave eating and playing music.

I asked Angela from Reign Trading about the music played for The Day of the Dead. She said, “…the most traditional song is a Mixtec Indian song called Dios Nunca Muere, which means ‘God never dies’… It’s kinda cute and is heard for days being played by rickety old, out of tune, ‘bandas’ in the village cemeteries. I’ve never found the music on a c.d. or tape. I can hear it in my head however!…It’s cool, it’s kinda a durge waltz.”

I was able to find sound clips of this song…

A midi of Dios Nunca Muere thanks to the old site Oaxaca +.

In some towns people dress up as mummies, ghouls, ghosts and skeletons and parade around town with an open coffin.

At the end of the holiday, in Oaxaca, masked dancers go from house to house, singing, chanting and dancing to help the dead go back to where they belong. Because some don’t want to go back!
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Here’s a Días de los Muertos link…

A Photo of a Day of the Dead Alter