Día de Muertos is an indigenous Mexica holiday that is practiced across Mexico to honor our loved ones who have died. Traditionally, during Día de Muertos we build an altar, or ofrenda, complete with pictures of our loved ones, cempasúchil (marigold) flowers, copal incense, pan de muerto (a sweet bread), candles, and Calaveras (sugar skulls).
During our event, we built an ofrenda together, and invited guests to bring a picture or memento of someone who has passed on that they would like to honor. Some guests shared stories of their departed loved ones. Xochi explained the background of the tradition and a little about some of the regional variations that exist.
In Mexico, those who have left us are honored through music, joy, storytelling. Día de Muertos is really a celebration of life and those we get to love, even for a little while.
