Final answer:
The Day of the Dead was celebrated by indigenous civilizations before Spanish colonization in Mexico. The rituals included constructing altars, offering food and personal possessions at gravesites, storytelling, music, dancing, and the creation of colorful crafts and sugar skulls. The Spanish colonization later influenced the traditions and practices of the Day of the Dead in Mexico, merging indigenous beliefs with Catholic traditions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Day of the Dead Before Spanish Colonization in Mexico
Before the Spanish colonized Mexico, the Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos) was already being celebrated by indigenous civilizations such as the Aztecs and Maya. It was a deeply-rooted ritual to honor and remember deceased loved ones. The celebrations varied among different civilizations, but they typically took place in the summer or fall and lasted for several weeks.
During these pre-colonial celebrations, people believed that the souls of the dead would return to the earthly realm. They constructed altars, known as ofrendas, adorned with offerings like food, water, flowers, and personal possessions of the departed. These ofrendas were placed at gravesites or in homes to welcome and nourish the spirits. Rituals included storytelling, music, dancing, and the creation of colorful paper crafts and sugar skulls.
It is important to note that the Spanish colonization greatly influenced the traditions and practices of the Day of the Dead in Mexico, blending indigenous beliefs with Catholic traditions such as All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day.
Learn more about Day of the Dead celebrations in pre-colonial Mexico