Día de los Muertos

¿Qué es el Día de los Muertos?Los Días de los Muertos, the Days of

the Dead, is a traditional Mexican holiday honoring the dead. Los Días de los Muertos is not a sad time, but instead a time of remembering and rejoicing. Although it takes place near Halloween, it is in no way associated with Halloween.

¿Cuándo es la celebración?It is celebrated every year at the same time as the Christian holy days of All Saints Day and All Souls Day (November 1st and 2nd).

All Saints Day: for the kids All Souls Day: for the adults

¿Dónde celebra?This holiday has long been celebrated in Mexico,

Ecuador, Guatemala, and other areas in Central and South America populated with the Latino ethnic background. Oaxaca, Mexico is known for having the biggest and most elaborate Day of the Dead celebrations.

¿Dónde celebra?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.

Tradiciones: La OfrendaIn the homes, families arrange ofrendas or

"altars" with flowers, bread, fruit and candy. Pictures of the deceased family members are added. Other items the person liked are added.

La OfrendaIn the late afternoon,

special all night burning candles are lit to help guide the souls back and flower petals are scattered throughout - it is time to remember the departed – lost loved ones.

Tradiciones: Cementerios To ensure the spirits that they are still

loved and cared for, families gather at the loved one’s grave to pull weeds and pick up trash. The graves are also decorated with paint, flowers, and candles.

Cementerios

Families will also bring bands to play their loved one’s favorite song.

Tradiciones: ComidaPan de muertosSpecial loaves of bread are baked, called pan de muertos, and decorated with "bones”. Many are coated with a light orange glaze and sugar sprinkles.

Tradiciones: Comida Sugar SkullsThese are a must have for any ofrenda. They can either be made at home or purchased from a street vendor. Come in a variety of designs and colors.

Tradiciones: FloresDuring los Días de los Muertos the

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

Tradiciones: Papel PicadoPapel 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.

Tradiciones: Calacas & CalaverasSkeletons and skulls are found everywhere!

Handmade skeleton figurines, called calacas, are especially popular. Calacas usually show an active and joyful afterlife. Figures of musicians, generals on horseback, even skeletal brides, in their white bridal gowns marching down the aisles with their boney grooms.

Tradiciones: Mascaras y MaquillajeIt is typical to see many people dress up as

skeletons and paint their face/wear a mask to look like a skull. This is another way of embracing the idea of death.

If you finished…

Come get a skull design to color in as we wait.