World News for Students of English

29-10-2021 15:00

Mexicans prepare altars ahead of the Dia de los Muertos, a Mexican tradition that honors the dead.

They decorate an altar with photos and items used by family who passed away. Mexicans leave food and drinks for their departed loved ones, and many people believe that the dead return to visit them once a year. Some families enjoy keeping the tradition alive, they continue using the items, they keep memories alive, and in this way it keeps the dead people alive, too.

Held on November 2, Dia de los Muertos combines Catholic and native practices, and Catholic communities celebrate it around the world. However, it has much less serious feelings than the Catholic celebrations, as people portray it as a joyful celebration rather than for mourning. The celebration is not solely focused on the dead, as it’s also common to give gifts and candy to family and friends.

Difficult words: altar (a raised plattform where sacrifices or offerings are made to a god, ancestor, and so on), pass away (an euphemism or a gentler expression for to die), mourn (to feel or express deep sadness because of someone’s death).