Day of the Dead

I admit, I rarely go to our museum, but if there is a special exhibition, I usually go and take a look.
This time the Historic Museum of Brownsville had invited to a small exhibition in honor of Jose Guadelupe Posada and the Mexican holiday called "El Dia de los Muertos" .

 The Day of the Dead (El Día de los Muertos in Spanish) mostly is a Mexican and Mexican-American holiday which occurs on November 1 and November 2, coinciding with the Roman Catholic celebrations of All Saints Day and All Souls Day we are more familiar with.
Although it is thought to honor the dead, it is celebrated quite joyfully. The origins of the celebration of The Day of the Dead in Mexico can be traced back to the indigenous peoples of Latin America, such as the Aztecs, Mayans Purepecha, Nahua and Totonac.

According to ancient beliefs, the souls of the deceased return for one night, first the children, on November 1, with adult spirits following on November 2.  

The pictures below (part of the display) show how people sit at the grave of their loved ones. The place is decorated with offerings and flowers, candles are lit. I really like the yellow and orange marigolds.

The Altar

 

Food is offered to the deceased loved ones, traditionally candied delicacies, tamales, sugar skulls, and pan de muerto - the bread of the dead. I think it is kinda funny to see cigarettes and tequila being offered as well, but then again, if you come back from the dead, even if only for one night, wouldn't you like to enjoy life?

 

Skulls, calaveras, made from sugar.

Calacas, the dressed up skeletons, are a sign for the joyful life after death. 
 La calavera Catrina in particular has become an icon of the Mexican Dia de los Muertos

 BTW: my information here is from the internet. Feel free to correct me if I made a mistake, or leave a comment with some more information about this holiday.