Día de los Muertos originated with Indigenous peoples in what is now Mexico.
- Core origin: The festival traces back thousands of years to pre-Hispanic Mesoamerican civilizations—notably the Aztecs, Toltecs, Olmecs, and Maya—and later blended with Catholic practices introduced during Spanish colonization. This synthesis creates the modern Day of the Dead celebration observed in Mexico and among Mexican diaspora communities. [Indigenous festivity dedicated to the dead ] [Day of the Dead origins and history ] [PBS overview of history and culture ]
- Geographic focus: Although widely associated with Mexico today, the earliest roots are tied to various indigenous groups within the broader Mesoamerican region that encompasses parts of present-day Mexico and Central America. The contemporary form is strongest in central and southern Mexico, with regional variations. [Encyclopedic and museum sources on origins and regional practices ]
- Key timeline note: The practice was adapted over centuries—combining pre-Columbian beliefs about death and the afterlife with European, Catholic dates like All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day—ultimately producing the current observance around late October to early November. [Britannica overview ] [UNESCO intangible heritage entry for Mexico’s Day of the Dead celebrations ]
If you’d like, I can pull concise notes from specific sources or provide a short, sourced timeline.
