Furthermore, it should be mention the strong influence of the United States that, at least in border areas, is evidenced by the presence of the holiday known as Halloween, which is celebrated each year with more frequency and a greater number of households. There is also available a concern among themselves Mexicans wanting to preserve the day of the dead as part of the Mexican culture on other similar celebrations. The fact indicates Wikipedia, there’s no denying it is a Mexican and Central American holiday, it is also celebrated in many communities in the United States, where there is a large Mexican and Central American population. Unesco has declared this festivity Intangible Cultural heritage of humanity. Day of the dead is a celebrated day also in Brazil, as day two deceased, although this festival does not have the same pre-Hispanic roots than the Mexican holiday.
The origins of the celebration of the day of the dead in Mexico predate the arrival of the Spaniards. There is record of the mexica ethnic celebrations, Mayan, p ‘ urhepecha and totonac. The rituals that celebrate the life of the ancestors are performed in these civilizations since at least three thousand years ago. In the pre-Hispanic era was common practice keep skulls as trophies and display them during the rituals that symbolize death and rebirth. The festival that became the day of the dead marked the ninth month of the solar calendar in Aztec, near the beginning of August, and was celebrated for a full month. The festivities were presided over by the goddess Mictecacihuatl, known as la Dama de la Muerte (currently linked to la Catrina, character of Jose Guadalupe Posada) and wife of Mictlantecuhtli, Lord of the land of the dead. The festivities were dedicated to the celebration of children and the lives of deceased relatives. Venture to investigate the origin of the day of the dead, for Mexicans it is extremely interesting for what is, its history and traditions, which would take many pages to delve into its scope, however very interesting envelope thing that it encompasses, for example, dates in honor of the dead are and they were so important that they engaged them in two months.