La festa dei morti – The Day of the Dead

The “Day of the Dead” in Sicily

is a deeply felt celebration,

dating back to the tenth century,

is celebrated on November 2nd

to commemorate the dead relatives.

It is said that in ancient times

in the night between 1st and 2nd November

dead people came back to visit their relatives

bringing gifts to children.

Today these gifts are found by the children,

in the early morning,

near their bed

or they are hidden in the house

and children look for them

with a sort of treasure hunt.

The day continues with a visit to the cemetery

to bring flowers to the dead relatives.

During this time of the year

we eat some typical sweets:

“Ossa dei morti” (bones of dead),

“Totò”, “Bersaglieri”

and “Rame di Napoli” (from the name of an ancient coin).