#DiaDeLosMuertos or #DayOfTheDead is a pre-Hispanic #Mexican #tradition dating back at least a thousand years before the arrival of the #Spanish #conquistadores. Traditionally a very intimate family affair celebrating death as an intimate part of the cycle of life, almost every #MexicanFamily makes an altar with a photo of their deceased relatives in their home, as well as putting out their favourite food, besides #candles, #incense, colourful decorated paper and some delicious and seasonal #pastries as it was believed the relatives would come back and eat them. It certainly is a vast difference from Mexican and #Anglo cultures when exploring the subject, as Mexican Nobel Laureate Octavio Paz once said: “The word “death” is not pronounced in #NewYork, #Paris, #London, because it burns the lips… The Mexican, in contrast, is familiar with death, jokes about it, caresses it, sleeps with it, celebrates it; it is one of his favourite toys and his most steadfast love”. Yesterday I was at ...