Don’t be surprised to see skeletons on the homes of Mexican Americans on the days after Halloween.
Mexican Americans celebrate November 2 as El Dia de los Muertos (“the day of the dead”). This is the same day as the Roman Catholic feast of All Souls’ Day, when the church prays for departed souls in purgatory.
Mexican Americans take the day seriously, not just praying but going out to cemeteries with gifts of food and flowers for the dead.
Still, a spirit of festiveness prevails, as people put up skeletons symbolizing the dead.
Some Mexicans celebrate the Day of the Dead by constructing elaborate scenes and some are particularly high-spirited.
