The longest "Day of the Dead" is celebrated in Mexico

Day of the Dead (Spanish. Dia de los Muertos), an annual festival dedicated to the memory of the dead, which takes place November 1 and 2 in Mexico (where it is especially revered), and other countries, the so-called Mesoamerica, is the "long-lived" festival of the dead. The Guinness Book of Records, he recorded this record, because to some extent is celebrated for over 3,500 years.

The tradition of celebrating this festival dates back to the Aztecs, who worshiped thus goddess Mictecacihuatl (wife of Mictlantecuhtli, the goddess of the underworld). Interestingly, in the days of the Aztec festival dedicated to the dead, it takes much longer (a few weeks) and took place in the middle of summer, in the period, which was called Miccailhuitontli (different calendars it correspond to different dates, but the researchers are unanimous in the fact that this period was in the mid to late summer). Spanish conquistadors, unable to resist a pagan holiday, moved it to November 1st, to reconcile with the "Day of the Saints," but these two holidays, in fact, have nothing to do.

Moreover, on November 1 in Mesoamerica usually mark the day of the dead children ("Day of the innocent"), whereas, in fact, "Day of the Dead" (referring to adult) is celebrated on November 2.

Source: www.znaeteli.ru

via factroom.ru