Dia de los Muertos, (Day of the Dead), is a holiday celebrated in Mexico, Ecuador, Guatemala and other areas of Central and South America. The Day of the Dead is also increasingly commemorated in the southwestern U.S.
November 2 is the official date for Day of the Dead, although it is celebrated between October 31 and November 2. These dates correspond with the Catholic celebration of All Souls Day, stemming from Catholic Spain's conquest of the New World.
Although the celebration is associated with the dead, it is not portrayed as a morbid or depressing time, but rather a period full of life, happiness, color, food, family and fun. People celebrate this holiday in their households as well as in cemeteries. In their homes, offerings of food and drink are prepared for the dead. Offerings are set up on an altar displaying portraits, personal goods, clothing and possessions of the deceased family member.
Web Sites
Catalog
Search the library's catalog for the Day of the Dead
Databases
Enter the phrases, holidays & special occasions AND death & dying, in the Gale database or enter day of the dead in the Proquest database.