Dia de muertos is my favorite festivity, there's nothing like it; it even has a particular smell because of the cempasúchil flower.
When I was a kid, I remember that the teachers always asked us to dress up a "calavera" or to make an "altar", and that was definitely the best homework of the whole school year.
At home, we always put up a small altar with some pictures of the family members that have died, and we eat "pan de muerto" with hot chocolate, and after that, we go to the cemetery to leave a bouquet of flowers on the graves.
Furthermore, I believe that this festivity is an amazing way to remember and honor your ancestors, to connect with your family, and to remember that life is finite.
I love this festivity because it has prevailed since pre-Hispanic cultures. It surely got mixed with Catholicism, but at least it did not die.
I wouldn't say it prevailed, it's just the result of the cultural amalgamation. Anyways, good post.
Americans who know about Día de Muertos really like it too :) I love the aspect of honoring the dead in a happy and positive way, bringing them the things they loved and leaving them as offerings on their graves. Sharing happy memories of them. It seems to me like a very psychologically healthy ritual.
@MexAlba99 Thank you.
@palabritas I'm glad you like Dia de Muertos, if you ever come to Mexico during that time of the year you should go to Janitzio or to Oaxaca city. They held major celebrations there.
I agree with you, it is a positive way to remember your family and to celebrate life and dead.
@Denisse, thanks for the recommendations, I would love that so much.
Very good detail of the festivities and your experiences.
@MRoss81 Thank you!