Dia De Los Muertos Research Paper

The holiday Dia de los Muertos celebrates life of the dead. In Mexico, the celebration is held from October 31 to November 2. The origins are a combination of inherited beliefs and Catholic teachings. The days are a lasting and enduring ritual when the living converse with the dead. The roots of this tradition go back to pre-Hispanic cultures of Meso-Americans. When the Spaniards invaded the country this celebration was rooted so deeply that even after 5 centuries it is still celebrated like its first days. When the Aztecs arrived in Mexico they were wearing long shawl like things that were brightly colored. These are called sarapes which are now worn by men.On Día de los muertos tradition holds that the dead come back to earth to visit the living.
One item people tend to put on is el pan de muertos which people call bread of the dead. This bread is a sweet roll traditionally made for the day of the dead. Little el angélito spirits visit the earth on October 31 at midnight. El angélito means little angel which are little kids.. El Día de los Muertos is a time to come to terms with death and the circle of life. The holiday Día de los Muertos can be traced back to the Aztecs who celebrated with a festival for the goddess of the underworld, Mictecacihuatl, and the Catholic holidays All Saints and All Souls days. Scholars have noted the primitive cultures of Mexico honor the Lady of the Dead, which people now call La Catrina. Many people recognize her as the skeleton who wears the fancy hat. In Medieval times, traditions included decorating graves, all night vigils, and special church services to remember and honor the dead. During día de los muertos people visit los cementarios to be with their lost loved ones during these days. When people bury their ancestors they bury them in las tumbas. La tumba means tomb which people visit on the day of the