Long ago, the Aztecs held the tradition that the dead should not be mourned, but should be celebrated, specifically, on the Day of the Dead, or Día de los Muertos. As with almost all holidays, Day of the Dead has many foods associated with this special occasion. Many offerings are put on the altar to feed their ancestors, including tissue paper cutouts, a bowl of water, candles, and food. The food’s essence is thought to be consumed by ancestors and, once the day has past, the living eats what remains. Tradition has carried this practice from hundreds of years ago to the present day. There are many foods that are typically eaten and used as part of this occasion. A popular food on the Day of the Dead are sugar skulls, or Calaveras de Azucar.
