day of the dead is a mix of which two cultures and traditions?

Day of the Dead blends two main traditions: indigenous Mesoamerican practices (especially Aztec, Maya, Toltec, and other pre-Hispanic cultures) with Catholic observances brought by Spanish colonizers (All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day). The resulting celebration honors and welcomes the spirits of the deceased through altars, offerings, and communal remembrance, creating a unique syncretic holiday.