24 | ORIGINS
Even with the passing of time, the ancient tradition – the Day of the Dead – continues in the lives of all Mexican people. This celebration takes place on November 2nd every year. On this day, people visit their deceased relatives and/or build an altar for them. Before the Spanish conquered America in the fifteenth century, this tradition existed in Mesoamerica. A ceremony was held in the ninth month of the Aztec Calendar (around August in our calendar). The god Mictecacihuatl presided over a ceremony on behalf of children and the deceased. Thus began what is tradition, even with the arrival of the Spanish and the branding of “satanic practices.” These cultures did not let the term pagan offend them nor did it end their traditions.
Alfeñiques are sugar skulls placed on altars. People add their names in icing on the foreheads.
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