If you're expecting to see yet another set of people dressed up as zombies trudging down a high street for yet another 'flash mob' opportunity, you are looking in the wrong place.

The Day of the Dead (El Día de los Muertos or All Souls' Day) is a holiday celebrated in Latin America and by Latin Americans living in the United States and Canada.

The holiday focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died.

Far from it being simply an occasion to mourn and feel sad, the holiday instead is a celebration of those who have lived and are now no longer with us.

Although it falls close to Halloween, it is not the Hispanic version of the popular, mainly North American festival of 31st October - rather it is a time of happiness, partying and family unity, closer to Thanksgiving and Harvest Festival in its nature.

Just like the paradox of Christianity being the main religion in a predominantly superstitious Latin America with a deep-rooted pagan belief system amongst its 'indios', the Day of the Dead sits in juxtaposition with the Catholic religion.

Its origins lie in the rituals of Mexico's indigenous cultures and yet, somehow, Mexicans and Latin Americans manage to tie it in loosely with the Christian All Souls Day. Both sit comparatively easily together for those that recognise and celebrate them, despite the vast differences in their roots and meanings.

The celebration occurs on November 1st, and November 2nd in connection with the Catholic holiday of All Saints' Day (November 1st) and All Souls' Day (November 2nd). Traditions include building private altars honoring the deceased and visiting graves with sugar skulls, marigolds and favourite foods and drinks of the departed as gifts.

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