This controversial extremely popular Mexican holiday actually celebrates life, and achieves this by remembering those who've died. This is the main concept that has some common elements troughout the country, but then every region has its own traditions on how to celebrate it.
The common element is the 'ofrendas' usually in the form of an individualized altar designed to remember departed loved ones. Every house has one! They often include photos, possessions of the deceased, candles, flowers, their favorite food and drink. The flowers used here are cempasúchil (marigold). Also there is a type of sweet bread called pan de muerto, baked especially for the holiday, with recipes that vary from region to region.
Then there is an endless variety of how this holiday is celebrated throughout the country, including the catrinas parades, big fiestas on the cemeteries, face painting, special dances, local traditional food etc.
All these traditions are an important way of keeping families strong as they remember ancestors and their stories.
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