Day of the Dead
Photo: Tony Alter from Newport News, USA, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Day of the Dead (Spanish: Día de Muertos) is a colorful and raucous celebration of mortality that has spread from Mexico to the United States and beyond. Day of the Dead is recognized by UNESCO as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
UnderstandDay of the Dead is a peculiar Mexican institution that follows from pre-Hispanic traditions that have combined with the Christian celebration (particularly Catholic) of All Saints Day.
DoLike Christmas, Day of the Dead can be as subdued and dignified or as outlandish and chintzy as you want.
DestinationsDay of the Dead is celebrated in every part of Mexico, but many regions have variations and local traditions that are only observed in a specific region, and usually by certain indigenous groups.
Stay safe and respectDay of the Dead festivities are a mixture of celebrations of life as well as memorials for the dead. Please be aware that the mixture between ironic corniness and remembrance of lost loved ones can be a thin line.
See also
Sources and licences
- Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Day of the Dead" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Photo: Tony Alter from Newport News, USA, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons