The Mayan celebration of the Day of the Dead is a special time when families remember and honour loved ones who have died. In parts of Mexico and Guatemala, people with Mayan traditions believe that the spirits of their family members return to visit them. This celebration is often linked with Día de los Muertos, which happens at the beginning of November. Families build colourful altars called ofrendas and decorate them with flowers, candles, food, and photos of the people they are remembering.

In our History lessons at primary school, we linked this celebration to our learning about the Ancient Maya. The children loved dressing up as Maya kings, queens, and farmers, which helped them imagine what life was like long ago. They took part in fun activities such as making bright masks, creating their own instruments and recalling key facts about Maya gods, temples, and daily life. By immersing themselves in these hands-on experiences, the children were able to confidently share their knowledge and understanding of the Ancient Maya civilisation while celebrating the rich traditions that are still remembered today.