Dia de los Muertos

Paul McMillan

Aw, don't be sad, folks! Halloween is over, but the fun doesn't have to end there!

Dia de los Muertos isn't your typical sit around and watch horror movie holiday. It's more special than that. It's a day to remember those friends and family members who have passed on. A day to leave out foods and beverages that they enjoyed, take a moment out of your day and remember them and who they were. In Mexico, it's a National Holiday and it makes sense to me.

We build our society and our own, personal lives through the people in our lives - both here and gone. It's very important to remember where you came from. Remember who helped make you who you are today. 

We suggest finding a DAY OF THE DEAD celebration in your area. If you live in California or Texas, you just might be able to find some awesome Dia de los Muertos celebrations happening near you.

Some recipe ideas and information for the day:
http://www.whats4eats.com/holidays/dia-de-los-muertos-recipes-and-traditions

http://mexicanfood.about.com/od/history/a/dayofthedead.htm



(from WIKI)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Day_of_the_Dead

Day of the Dead (Spanish: Día de los Muertos) is a Mexican holiday celebrated throughout Mexico and around the world in other cultures. The holiday focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died. It is particularly celebrated in Mexico, where it is a national holiday, and all banks are closed. The celebration takes place on November 1, in connection with the Catholic holidays of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day (November 2). 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. The holiday has spread throughout the world: In Brazil, Dia de Finados is a public holiday that many Brazilians celebrate by visiting cemeteries and churches. In Spain, there are festivals and parades, and, at the end of the day, people gather at cemeteries and pray for their dead loved ones. Similar observances occur elsewhere in Europe, and similarly themed celebrations appear in many Asian and African cultures.

Photos complements of extremely talented Yasamine Entesari at Pixeletry.com.