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Location: Mexico         Length: 6 min

The Day of the Dead, or Dia de los Muertos, is a Mexican holiday held each year on November 1–2. Dr. David Carrasco of Harvard University’s Peabody Museum explains the essential elements of a Day of the Dead altar, by which Mexican families honor their beloved dead. This ancient celebration is a blend of ancient Aztec and Roman Catholic traditions, so it’s an example of the mix of native and Spanish elements that forms the fabric of Mexican culture today. Even now, the Festival is presided over by the Aztec Queen of the Underworld.

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Produced in 2010 by Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology

Copyright 2010 by President and Fellows of Harvard College

The Day of the Dead (azcentral.com)

Day of the Dead (Smithsonian Institution)

Day of the Dead (Wikipedia)

Peabody Museum