The ASU Museum of Anthropology is hosted its 4th annual Day of the Dead exhibit from October 25th, 2003 to June 1st, 2004. The exhibit was curated by Marco A. Albarran, a Phoenix Chicano artist, and Gwyneira Isaac, the Museum Director, who coordinated the installation of altars made by Chicana/o, Latina/o artists and the general public to celebrate the Day of the Dead. The exhibit was made unique by the public’s participation in building altars, as well as that the authors come from different backgrounds, but share the common idea to pay tribute to their loved ones and to continue the Day of the Dead tradition.

The Mexican celebration of Día de los Muertos has it origins in Pre Columbian times. The Aztecs conceived of death as a part of one cycle that was constant like the seasons of nature. During the Spanish Conquest, the Catholic religion was imposed on the indigenous peoples resulting in syncretic beliefs and cultural practices. The Day of the Dead celebration as it is known today is a product of this syncretism. According to these beliefs, the dead come back and visit during the first and second of November, so people prepare altars with the purpose of sharing some of the joys of life with family members, friends and loved ones that have passed on. Altars are one of the most important activities of this celebration. The ways in which altars are prepared and the customs are practiced vary in each region of Mexico and the US. The principal elements that are found on altars include the favorite food and drink of the people who have died, fruits in season, candles, personal objects, pan de muerto (bread of the dead), images of saints, the cross, copal incense, flowers, water and photographs. If altars are dedicated to children, sweets and toys are included. In addition to family altars, in some regions altars are set up on top of the grave-sites in the cemetery and churches.

The Day of the Dead has a long history with complex social significance. It is not dedicated to biological death, but to the social events that celebrate the return of ancestors and loved ones. This celebration allows one to know and remember their ancestors through family stories and anecdotes so that the dead may continue to live.