Although celebrated in all Catholic countries as All Saints' and All Souls' Days, surely no other peoples have embraced the festival of The Day of the Dead to the extent that the Mexicans have. The celebration begins on the evening of October 31, so the name Los Dias de los Muertos is also often used. This festival is considered by many to be the most important holiday of the year in Mexico.

While associated with the dead, the holiday is certainly not morbid; it is a time of happiness, remembering, and much feasting. Special foods, such as candy, breads, and buns are baked; these are often in the shape of skulls, with icing. Puppets and masks, usually as skeletons, are very popular.

In addition to the fun and frivolity, the holiday is an opportunity to remember the dead. Family members who have died are believed to return to their grave sites, so flowers and gifts are placed there.

Sources of Information for the Day of the Dead

• Books

• Journal and Periodical Articles

• Encyclopedias and Dictionaries

• Glossary of Terms for El Dia de los Muertos

• Pre-Columbian Culture and the Day of the Dead

• El Dia de los Muertos in Art and Literature

• The Art of Posada, Mexican Artist of the Day of the Dead

• Day of the Dead Festival in Oaxaca: A Personal View

• Day of the Dead Festival in Other Mexican Towns

• Day of the Dead in Southern California, 1995

• Information about the Boeckmann Center at USC

Visit other Day of the Dead Web sites

• California Council for the Humanities Observance, 1995

• El día de los Muertos by LatinoLink

• Heard Museum's Day of the Dead Festival

• El Día de los Muertos by Pixelnet

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