Day of the Dead tradition

El Dia de los Muertos known as the Day of the Dead, is a tradition that originated in Mexico and celebrated in Central America. It’s a mix of indigenous and Catholic beliefs that gives a new outlook on the meaning of death.

Professor Sally Perret, from the SU Modern Language Department says, “In this culture you are celebrating you’re connecting. Even laughing to a certain extent about the fact that we will all die. It’s a different relation to death than what we have in our culture.”

Professor Perett tells 47 ABC that preparation for the day of the dead takes place many days in advance. In large cities there are parades with people dressing up as skeletons. In homes families prepare by cooking dinners, making decorations, and bringing family together to remember their loved ones.
       
“Starting on the 31st there is the souls come back to earth and people will generally put altars in their home or if they can they will actually go to the grave site and they will build altars.” says Professor Perret.

Although the majority of the celebrations take place in Latin American countries, Professor Perett says many people do not forget their traditions when they come to the United States, one of them being Karen Lopez, a Sussex County resident.

“We place candles, bread, many of the cases we make their favorite food, whatever they liked the most. We are in the united states, but our traditions and our culture continue,” says Karen Lopez