day+of+the+dead

This traditional festival has been celebrated in many Hispanic countries, not just Ecuador, for centuries. It is a day and night of fiestas, prayer, and nostalgic remembrance for those loved ones who have passed. It is complete with traditional dances and of course wonderful food, and sprinkled with the occasional sugar skull or piece of dark Spanish chocolate. Unlike Halloween in the United States, The Day of the Dead is not meant to be scary of dark in any way; it is simply a way to remember family and friends who have died, and to celebrate those who are living. Traditional foods during this celebration is "//dead bread//," a sugary sweet bread, usually with currants or raisins inside, skulls molded out of sugar, to take the bitterness out of death, "//colada morada//, a fruit beverage, and //Guaguas de Pan//, which is stuffed bread shaped like children to celebrate life." (1)
 * Day of the Dead or El Dia de los Muertos**