For my Synthesis project, I chose Dia de los Muertos, a special 3 day celebration in Mexico where citizens honor the deceased.

The day of the dead or Dia de los Muertos, is a holiday typically celebrated in Mexico, where they honor their love ones who have passed on.

The celebration takes place between October 31st and November 2nd. During these days, it is said that the heavens open up, and the spirits are given permission to visit relatives and friends in order to experience life again.

Each home creates an altar for the spirits to come to during the celebration. They are decorated with all types of flowers, foods, drinks, and toys for the spirits to enjoy during the event. Pictured is a typical altar set up with a photo of the deceased, decorated skulls, and paper cut out decorations called "Papel Picado".

During Dia de los Muertos, the town is decorated with candy skulls, and candy caskets. These items are bought and either put on the altar's or given to other family members or friends. Pictured is a typical store front decorated with skulls and a variety of different colors.

Typically, families will make a certain type of food called Pan de Muerto, which translates to dead bread. This bread is only baked during the weeks leading up to the celebration. It is a sweetened roll typically imprinted with bone shaped designs on it. It is typically eaten at the alter, or at the gravesite of the deceased.

Leading up to the event, the local newspaper will display political figures or well known personalities that will be displayed as skeletons with draping's of their well known offices so the local people will know who they are. They could be depicted in comical scenes like mariachi bands, bus drivers, or everyday life scenarios in a way to involve everyone in the celebration.