Do you kno ow .. about the Day of the Dead?

> Today marks the last day of the “Day of the Dead” holiday celebrated by Mexicans and those of Mexican descent. It focuses on remembering those who have passed away.

> Dia de Muertos as it is known in Spanish is usually a three-day festival from Oct 31 to Nov 2. The three days correspond to the Western Christian Allhallowtide, starting from All Saint’s Eve to All Saints’ Day and finally, on Nov 2, All Souls’ Day.

> The holiday is actually the fusion of the Christian holidays above (brought by the conquering Spanish) with indigenous Aztec rituals and offerings to the goddess Mictecacihuatl, L ady of the Dead, for deceased children and adults. This merging happened sometime in the 16th century.

> While practices vary by region, traditions include building ofrendas (private altars) in homes, honouring the dead with calaveras (skull motifs), making decorations using marigolds, visiting the graves of the departed and placing offerings of their favourite food and beverages.

> Fare typical of the holidayy includes popular decorative sugar skulls, pan de muerto (“bread of thee dead”) as well as atole (a Mesoamerican corn-based drink).

> On the last daay of the festival, families decoratete the graves of their loved ones and sometimes host a festive reunion.

> While the holiday originated in southern Mexico, similar festivals of the dead are observed in many parts of the world, particularly in those places colonised by the Spanish and Portuguese. The most carnival-like atmosphere, though, is to be found in Mexico.