Dia de los Muertos

Dia de los Muertos

Day of the Dead is a multi-day holiday that originated in regions of Mexico and parts of Latin America, and today is celebrated by many communities worldwide.

FamilyIn many Spanish speaking cultures, family is very important and this is seen especially with el Día de Los Muertos.

Families come together to decorate the altar/cemeteries and to honor and remember their ancestors and loved ones who have passed away.

What does a celebration look like?

It’s a Celebration!

• People• Food• Decorations• Music• Dancing• Face painting• Costumes & masks• Bright colors

…Not Halloween…Dia de los Muertos Halloween

● Celebrated October 31st

● Death viewed as end/loss of life and is mourned

● Symbols and traditions and tone are inspired by fear, being scared, and all things creepy

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● Celebrated weeks surrounding November 2nd

● Death viewed as continuation of life and is celebrated

● Symbols, traditions, and tone are inspired by celebration

Did you know…?

Day of the Dead origins can be traced back before Mexico existed as a country

History

Who Are the Aztecs?The exact origins of the Aztec people are uncertain, but they are believed to have begun as a northern tribe of hunter-gatherers. The Aztecs emerged as the dominant force in the central Mexico region during the 13th century, developing an intricate social, political, religious and commercial organization.

HistoryAztec and other indigenous cultures shared belief in an afterlife, meaning:

•When people died, they did not cease to exist, instead, their soul carried on to the afterworld

•Celebration of death, rather than fear of it•Death as a continuation of life•Deceased wanted to be celebrated, not mourned

History

Did you know…?

When the Spanish conquered the Aztecs in 1521, they shortened the festival to correspond with their Catholic Holidays, All Saints Day and All Souls Day, which take place on November 1st and 2nd.

What does a Tradition look like?

Belief in an Afterlife is still reflected in signs and symbols found in traditional Dia de los Muertos art and decorations today.

Calaveras-”skull, skeleton”

Calaveras are traditionally made from sugar, representing the sweetness of life. The calaveritas de

azucar are part of the ofrenda, and symbolize the “earth” element along with other foods such as mole, chocolate,

and pan de muerto (bread of the dead)

Calaveras-”skull, skeleton”• Candy• Bread• Masks• Face painting• Shrines &

Altars

La Catrina● Iconic calaveras ● Elongated limbs and form● Elaborate colorful floor-length

dress, large hat adorned with flowers

● Invention of José Guadalupe Posada, a printmaker and engraver whose legacy looms large over Mexico’s rich art and design history

History of La Catrina

At the turn of the 20th century, Mexico was under the reign of Porfirio Díaz, a

dictator whose efforts to modernize and bring financial stability to the

country were made at the considerable cost of government repression,

corruption, and unchecked extravagance for the wealthy few.

History of La Catrina● Posada mocked the bourgeois by drawing

them as calaveras: the feeble dead and their pretentious luxurious living, clad in European clothes, calling attention to their hypocrisy and vanity

● Wearing her signature plumed hat, Catrina mocked Mexican women who tried to erase their indigenous heritage by wearing French-style clothes and makeup to appear whiter

Nature

Intimate connection between death and nature, an acknowledgment that death is a natural part of life

Marigolds

It is believed that the scent of these bright orange blooms help attract souls to the altar.

Altars & Offerings

• Alters are created to honor loved ones who have passed into the afterlife

• Much time and care is put into decorating altars, and gifts are placed as offerings

Papel Picado• Papel picado literally

means 'punched' or 'perforated' paper.

• Traditionally cut by hand

• It’s also believed that the delicate nature of the paper is symbolic of the fragility of life.

Alejibres

● Brightly colored, handmade, fantastical and whimsical creatures

● Commonly seen during Dia de los Muertos

● Sometimes believed to be inspired by who the person was before passing into the afterlife

The Story of Pedro LinaresAs the story goes, Linares became very ill when he was 30 years old. Not having access to medical attention, he laid in bed and lost consciousness. Linares dreamt of a bizarre, peaceful place that resembled a forest. The land features around him shaped themselves into animals that were familiar and yet like nothing Linares had ever seen before. There were mules with dragonfly wings, roosters with antlers, creatures that resembled gryphons and dragons, just to name a few. They had unnatural colors and patterns swirling over their bodies. These creatures began repeatedly chanting a single word: alebrije...alebrije...alebrije! It was enough to startle him awake in time for his fever to subside.

Alejibres • The first alebrijes to be called as such were created by

Pedro Linares in Mexico City in the 1930s.• Manuel Jiménez adapted the paper mache alebrijes to

wooden carved alebrijes in the Oaxacan town Arrazola.• Descendants of Pedro Linares as well as Manuel

Jimenez's family continue to carve and paint various alebrijes to this day. Other artists have also taken the craft upon themselves to create their own versions of the stylized animal figures.

• Entire families and villages have dedicated themselves to honing their woodcarving skills. They elevated the craft to a fine art that is prized around the world

Main Characteristics of Alejibres

1. Multiple animal features2. Bright contrasting colors3. Intricate pattern (realistic and/or

decorative)4. Made from paper mache or carved

wood and hand painted

Meet Pepita!Pepita is part big cat (think tiger or jaguar), part eagle (look at those wings and talons), and borrows features from several other animals, including ram horns and an iguana-like tail.

Click here to learn more about the

inspiration behind Pixar’s Alejibres

These giant alebrijes were just installed in front of Rockefeller

Center in NYC!

Click here to learn more About Dia de Los Muertos