Día de los Muertos

Smithsonian Latino Virtual Museum Day of the Dead/Dia de los Muetros

The tradition of setting up ofrendas dedicated to the departed dates back to the Pre-Hispanic era. They are prepared a few days before the 1st and 2nd of November, the dates when it is believed that the dead return to visit their friends and relatives. The 1st of November is dedicated to children, and the 2nd to adults. The elements of the ofrenda stem from this idea of celebration of death in life.