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• What is it?– El Dia de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead, is a traditional Mexicican

holiday honoring the dead. El Dia de los Muertos is not a sad time, but instead a time of remembering and rejoicing.

• When is it?– It is celebrated every year at the same time as afterHalloween and the

Christian holy days of All Saints Day and All Souls Day (November 1st and 2nd).

• Where is it celebrated?– It is celebrated in Mexico, Ecuador, Guatemala, and other areas in

Central and South America populated with the Latino ethnic background. The Day of the Dead is also celebrated in areas of the United States, such as California, Texas, and many others, in which the Mexican/American heritage exists.

“Don’t’ fear dying. Fear never having lived.” -Anonymous

La historiaLa historia

•3,000 year old tradition, some suspect it may even trace back 5,000 years!• Can be traced back to the Aztecs and beyond• Celebrates life and death• Is *not* the same as Halloween

La creencia = the beliefLa creencia = the belief

•It is believed that during the days of November1st and 2nd, spirits have been granted Divineconsent to visit with their relatives and friendson Earth.• Beginning in mid-October, families prepare towelcome the souls of their relatives andancestors who return at this time of year tomake sure that all is well and that they havenot been forgotten.• Celebrations at home include family dinners,trips to the grave sites, “ofrendas” (orofferings), flowers, folk art, special foods, andcandies.

Customs vary throughout Mexico

Most celebrations include:

Decoration and family gathering at cemetery

Special foods

Ofrendas (offerings) on altars

Religious rites and prayers

Often there are fireworks!

In many regions, November 1 is dedicated to the remembrance of deceased infants and children

Adults are honored November 2

In mid-October markets begin displaying items needed for Dia de los Muertos including:

Skeletons (toys, figurines, sweets)

Papel PicadoFloral wreaths and crossesCandlesFresh flowers

-cempazuchiles (marigolds)

-barro de obispo (cockscomb)

Sugar or chocolate skulls and coffins

Pan de muerto (bread of the dead)

HalloweenHalloween vs.vs. Día de los muertosDía de los muertos

Halloween Día de los muertos

•Night before

“All Saint’s Day”

(October 31)

•All Saint’s Day and the day after

(November 1st and 2nd)

•November 1st = los angelitos

(children’s spirits) return home

•November 2nd = adult spirits return home

•Evil Spirits roam the earth.

We dress our children in

“scary” costumes so

the spirits won’t take them.

•No costumes.

•Not an “evil” holiday.

•It is a celebration of

life and death.

•All negative representations of

death/terror.

•Positive celebrations of family,

ancestors, life, and community.

•Very humorous look at life.

Calacas

Skeletons are often shown in everyday activities which depict a dead person’s profession or interests. The calacas are often placed on altars. This shows the spirit that he has not been forgotten.

CalacasCalacas

Traditions: Papel Picado

• Papel Picado is a traditional art used to decorate homes, businesses, markets and altars in preparation for the Day of the Dead.

• The thin tissue paper images are usually cut in large quantities and hung in repetitious patterns.

Papel Picado

Traditions: Flowers• During los Dias de los Muertos the yellow marigold

symbolizes the short duration of life. • Other flowers commonly seen during this celebration

include the white amaryllis, wild orchids, baby's breath and ruby coxcombs are offered as adornment and enticement for the returning spirits.

• Wreaths made of flowers, both real and plastic, are often placed on the grave sites.

Fresh Flowers

Sugar Skulls

Children are given sugar skulls with their names written on the forehead!

Los Alfeñiques = Sugar SkullsLos Alfeñiques = Sugar Skulls

•CANDIES:

•Skulls and skeletons are made out of candy.

•Names: living or dead

Traditions- Altars• In the homes families arrange ofrenda's or "altars" with flowers, bread, fruit and candy. Pictures of the deceased family members are added. In the late afternoon special all night burning candles are lit - it is time to remember the departed - the old ones, their parents and grandparents.

• Altars should include:– A picture of the one being 

remembered – Items they were fond of – Something to snack on – Candles – Flowers – Gifts

*Altars have decorations: papel picado, candles, flowers, photographs of the departed, candy skulls with the name of the deceased

*Altars have foods and drinks: bottles of beer or tequila, cups of atole (a sweet drink made of milk, sugar, and corn starch) or coffee, pop (many families will sacrifice to purchase a favorite brand!) and fresh water, as well as platters of rice, beans, chicken or meat in mole sauce, candied pumpkin or sweet potatoes, fruits and breads.

Altars in the home

Las ofrendas

Las ofrendas

The altar…

An area of the home is cleared of furnishings

Floors and walls are washed

A table is covered with clean sheets, a blanket, or tablecloth

Incense is usually burnedMany candles are lit

Traditions: Food

• Pan de los Muertos– Special loaves of bread are baked, called pan de

muertos, and decorated with "bones.

Atole de leche

Tamales

Family members clean tombs and gravestonesPull weedsTombs are painted and repaired if neededGraves are decorated with flower crosses, wreaths, or floral arrangements

Procession to the cemetery

The army band participates in a local parade

Many towns have parades including processions on

horseback

A group of músicos entertains at the cemetery

En el cementerio

Family members gather at the cemetery. They bring picnics and mariachi bands may play favorite songs. Local restaurants set up food stands. An outdoor church service is usually held.

En el cemeEn el cemenntteeriorio

Customs Around the WorldIn the USA, most people avoid

talking about death

Many other cultures around the world have rituals for remembering loved ones.

Many other cultures have similar rituals involving the lighting of lamps or candles and laying out food and drinks

Even ancient Egyptians had similar traditions or remembering loved ones

Muralismo- (muralism)• A mural is a painting applied to and made

integral with the surface of a wall or ceiling.

• Muralism has existed since prehistoric times.

• Diego Rivera is the most famous Latino Muralist of the 20th century.

• One of his most famous

murals is titled

“El dia de los muertos”

El día de los muertos- Diego Rivera

La CatrinaLa Catrina• • Represents death (now)Represents death (now)

• • Was created by Jose Was created by Jose Guadelupe PosadaGuadelupe Posada

• • Notice: feminine form & Notice: feminine form & beautiful decorationsbeautiful decorations

CatrinaCatrinaCatrina is the most recognizable symbol for Day of the Dead. She is now a calacas and was painted by José Guadalupe Posada, a famous artist from Mexico.

Works of José Guadalupe Works of José Guadalupe PosadaPosada

Proyecto # 1Proyecto # 1• DECORATE your CALACA as a MEMORIAL to

someone or something you cared for and lost.• Make sure that you use images, colors, etc, that

represent your topic.• Around the CALACA write a minimum of 12

sentences in the best Spanish you can write. You may wish to include information about the person or thing you lost, why they/it was important to you, why you miss them/it etc.

• PROJECT IS DUE ON WEDNESDAY, NOV. 14 or earlier.