Every year in early November, families in Mexico and across Latin America celebrate Día de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead. This colorful and meaningful holiday is a time to remember loved ones who have passed away and to celebrate the beauty of life. While it may sound similar to Halloween, Día de los Muertos focuses on love, remembrance, and family rather than fear or monsters.
The roots of Día de los Muertos go back thousands of years to ancient civilizations such as the Aztecs, Maya, and Toltecs. These cultures believed that death was not the end but a continuation of the soul’s journey. When the Spanish arrived in the 1500s, they brought Catholic holidays like All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day. Over time, the two traditions blended together and created the modern version of Día de los Muertos celebrated today.
To understand the meaning behind the celebration, Spanish teacher Señora Dijar shared her perspective.
“It’s that we commemorate and process it differently, we celebrate it,” Dijar said. “Year by year, we keep the memory of loved ones alive.”
The main purpose of Día de los Muertos is to honor and remember family members and friends who have died. Families often create ofrendas, or altars, in their homes decorated with photos, candles, marigolds (called caléndulas in Spanish), sugar skulls, and the favorite foods of the deceased. These offerings are meant to guide the spirits back to the world of the living for a short visit.
When asked about the key traditions of the holiday, Dijar explained the importance of family offerings.
“One of the main traditions is decorating with marigolds and placing the favorite foods and pictures of loved ones on the altar,” Dijar said. “Families also go to cemeteries to visit and remember those who have passed away.”
Freshman Michelle Tachenko described how her class celebrated the day.
“In Spanish class, we watched Coco and did art projects to remember loved ones or famous people,” Tachenko said.
Another Spanish teacher, Doctora Benner, explained why Día de los Muertos holds such an important place in Hispanic culture.
“Family is the most important thing,” said Benner. “Your family is your family forever. Remembering who came before us helps us appreciate what we have today.”
Día de los Muertos is celebrated most widely in Mexico, but similar traditions take place across Latin America, including Guatemala, Ecuador, and Peru. In recent years, more people in the United States have also begun to take part in the celebration through school events, art displays, and cultural festivals.
At Calabasas High, students have fiestas in their Spanish class, which highlight Día de los Muertos activities where they build ofrendas, share traditional food like pan de muerto, and teach others about the meaning behind the holiday.
Día de los Muertos is celebrated on November 1 and 2. November 1 is called Día de los Angelitos (“Day of the Little Angels”) and honors children who have passed away. November 2 is Día de los Difuntos, which honors adults. On these days, families often visit cemeteries to decorate graves, bring food, play music, and spend time together. The atmosphere is filled with color, candles, and laughter as people celebrate the lives of those they miss.
Señora Dijar also shared what she believes the holiday teaches her students.
“Death is not something to be afraid of,” Señora Dijar said. “In our culture, it’s something to remember and honor because of our loved ones.”
To help students experience the traditions firsthand, teachers incorporate creative projects into their classes.
“In Spanish 1, we make skeletons and write about a loved one,” explained Doctora Benner. “Spanish 2 watches The Book of Life, and Spanish 3 does an art project and essay about someone important to them. Spanish 4 creates altars, and Spanish 5 designs masks representing those who have gone before us.”
She also emphasized what she hopes students take away from the celebration.
“The importance of remembering our past is what students can really take away from this holiday,” she added.
For many, Día de los Muertos is a reminder that death is not something to fear but a part of life. Through stories, music, and colorful decorations, families keep the memories of their loved ones alive. The holiday shows that even though someone may be gone, their spirit continues to live on in the hearts of those who remember them.
