Day of the Dead and Halloween Traditions

In cemeteries, many bring elaborate displays of gifts to leave at the graves of their loved ones. In their homes, they build altars to draw the spirit of their loved ones back home to visit for the night. Even in public schools and government offices, altars are set up to honor the tradition which is considered an important part of Mexican culture. While the day is celebrated all over the country, how it is celebrated varies. For example, in the town of Ocotepec, when someone has lost a family member in the previous year, they open their homes on Day of the Dead. Visitors come to pay their respects and, in exchange for a candle (veladora), they receive a tamale to eat and atole to drink.

Even though Day of the Dead is very popular in Mexico, it is celebrated far beyond the Mexican Border. Guatemalans not only build altars to the loved ones they've lost, they also celebrate Day of the Dead by building giant kites and constructing intricate salads, called fiambres, which often have more than 50 ingredients!

In Ecuador, the indigenous Day of the Dead traditional dish of colada morada, a purple porridge made of berries, fruit and purple corn flour, can now be found in modern restaurants all over the country.

In Brazil, November 2 is called Finados. Similar to Day of the Dead, Finados traditions pack churches and cemeteries with visitors bearing candles and gifts, and praying for the happiness of those who have gone before them.

Día de las Ñatitas (Day of the Skulls) is celebrated November 8 in La Paz, Bolivia. Ancient indigenous traditions had family members spend the day with the bones of their loved ones, three years after they had been buried. Today, the tradition is celebrated mostly with symbolism, although some Bolivian citizens have the actual skulls of their ancestors in their homes to watch over them.

In recent years, another tradition has been increasing in popularity, especially in cities and areas close to the United States. Children run through the streets in Halloween-like costumes, knocking on doors and asking for calaveritas... little presents of candy or coins.

Simple, quick and tasty — who can resist? Make these Abuelita Sugar Skull Cookies for your own calaveritas treat!