City Cast editor Adrian González contributed to this article.
The Indigenous people of what is now modern-day Mexico practiced Día de Muertos, or Day of the Dead, as a celebration of the lives of loved ones who passed onto the afterlife and as a time to reunite with their spirits.
It has been observed throughout Mexico and in parts of Latin America as a multiple-day tradition where families gather at cemeteries and homes to honor the dead through various rituals and customs. Thousands of years later, this tradition is now celebrated globally, primarily on Nov. 1 and 2.
The Elements of Traditions
Here are the most common elements of Día de Muertos.
- Altar: An area decorated with photos of loved ones who have passed, flowers, photos, candles, and food, all meant to represent the four elements.
- Cempasúchil: Marigold flowers used at altars, tombs, and graves, its strong scent meant to guide the souls of the dead.
- Catrina: The stylized skull originally created by Mexican artist José Guadalupe Posada.
- Pan de Muerto: Mexican sweet bread used as an “ofrenda.” Although recipes can vary, pre-Hispanic cultures had a "papalotlaxcalli," or butterfly bread, dedicated to this type of ceremony.
- Papel Picado: Mexican folk art made by cutting intricate designs into tissue paper and hanging them with a string. It is meant to symbolize the wind.
- Ofrenda — an “offering” like “pan de muerto,” sugar skulls, fruits, and other food.
A woman lights a candle in front of an altar for Día de los Muertos in Teotitlán del Valle, Oaxaca, Mexico on Nov. 2, 2021. (Sebastian Kahnert / picture alliance via Getty Images)
Here are some ways you can partake in the festivities around Boise:
