GustavoMaria ElenaDionicioRocioOscar
GustavoMaria ElenaDionicioRocioOscar
The aztecs and some other cultures in the ancient Mexico believed that once a year the Deads were allowed to go out of the Land of Deads to visit their relatives in this world. When you receive the visit of a beloved one just once a year you are very happy. That was the same feeling that they had and, therefore, they made big celebrations during those days. Afterwards, when the Catholic Spaniards conquered this territories, the traditions was identified with the european custom of Halloween - Noche de Brujas o de todos los Santos in Spanish - and some Christian meaning was added.
Today, due to the American influence in our country, every time more young people dress like witches and werewolfs and attend big halloween parties on this date. Yet, back in home, their parents keep alive one of the most beautiful Mexican traditions.
In Mexico we are used to put a "ofrenda" for the dead people that visit us during two days. That "ofrenda" contains the food and beverages that the deads liked when they were alive. Besides we include a "veladora", which is a kind of candel, for each of our dead relatives. This candel will help them to light their way back to heaven when the time comes. If you do not leave a light for them they might get lost or, some people say, they will have to burn one of their fingers. It is also common to place, along with the food, chocolat or sugar skulls with the names of the members of the family that put the ofrenda.
There is a special kind of bread called "Pan de Muertos" - Dead's bread -, which is only baked on this time of the year. Mexican families eat it as dinner with coffee or chocolate - cocoa milk -.
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