Día de los Día de los MuertosMuertos

?????????? What is it?What is it?

Los Dias de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead, is a traditional Los Dias de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead, is a traditional Mexico holiday honoring the dead. Los Dias de los Muertos is Mexico holiday honoring the dead. Los Dias de los Muertos is not a sad time, but instead a time of remembering and rejoicing. not a sad time, but instead a time of remembering and rejoicing.

When is it?When is it? It is celebrated every year at the same time as Halloween and It is celebrated every year at the same time as Halloween and

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

Therefore, Oct. 31 is meant to summon the agelitos( little Therefore, Oct. 31 is meant to summon the agelitos( little angles) to come and visit on November 1angles) to come and visit on November 1stst..

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

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

What is The Day of The What is The Day of The Dead?Dead?

The original celebration can be traced to the The original celebration can be traced to the festivities held during the Aztec month of festivities held during the Aztec month of Miccailhuitontli, ritually presided by the Miccailhuitontli, ritually presided by the goddess Mictecacihuatl ("Lady of the goddess Mictecacihuatl ("Lady of the Dead"), and dedicated to children and the Dead"), and dedicated to children and the dead. dead.

The rituals during this month also featured a The rituals during this month also featured a festivity dedicated to the major Aztec war festivity dedicated to the major Aztec war deity, Huitzilopochtli ("Sinister deity, Huitzilopochtli ("Sinister Hummingbird"). Hummingbird").

Traditions: SkeletonsTraditions: Skeletons Skeletons and skulls are found everywhere. Skeletons and skulls are found everywhere.

Chocolate skulls, marzipan coffins, and white Chocolate skulls, marzipan coffins, and white chocolate skeletons. chocolate skeletons.

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

Traditions: FlowersTraditions: Flowers During los Dias de los Muertos the yellow During los Dias de los Muertos the yellow

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

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

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

Traditions- AltarsTraditions- Altars In the homes families In the homes families

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

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

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

Alters continued Alters continued

For each deceased relative a candle For each deceased relative a candle is set. Their light is thought to guide is set. Their light is thought to guide them on their way back.  The light of them on their way back.  The light of the candles, also called the candles, also called cerasceras - -waxes- symbolize  Jesus Christ waxes- symbolize  Jesus Christ Reborn and faith. Incense, Reborn and faith. Incense, CopalCopal,, is is burned and thought to elevate  burned and thought to elevate  prayers to God.prayers to God.  

Traditions: FoodTraditions: Food

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

de muertosde muertos, and decorated with "bones. , and decorated with "bones.

Traditions: Papel PicadoTraditions: Papel Picado

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

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

La Catrina- José Guadalupe Posada’s La Catrina- José Guadalupe Posada’s An iconic picture for Día de los Muertos An iconic picture for Día de los Muertos MockeryMockery

GlossaryGlossary alfeñiquealfeñique - a special confection used - a special confection used

to fashion skulls, fruits and other to fashion skulls, fruits and other figures. figures.

angelitosangelitos - the souls of the children - the souls of the children who have died, literally "little angels" who have died, literally "little angels"

atoleatole - an ancient drink made from - an ancient drink made from corn meal and water flavored with corn meal and water flavored with various fruits. various fruits.

calaveracalavera - a skull, also a slang term - a skull, also a slang term for "daredevil"for "daredevil"

alfeniqueatole

calavera

GlossaryGlossary calaverascalaveras - songs and poems about - songs and poems about

the festival the festival caretacareta -a face mask -a face mask CascaronesCascarones – – confetti filled eggs confetti filled eggs Cempazuchitl or cempasúchilCempazuchitl or cempasúchil - a - a

yellow marigold, the symbol of death yellow marigold, the symbol of death copallicopalli - a scented resin used to - a scented resin used to

make candles make candles

caretas Cascarones

Cempasúchil

Copalli

GlossaryGlossary molemole - a thick sauce made from a - a thick sauce made from a

variety of ingredients including variety of ingredients including chilis, sesame seeds, herbs, spices, chilis, sesame seeds, herbs, spices, chocolate/fruit. chocolate/fruit.

ofrendaofrenda - an offering, refers to the - an offering, refers to the goods set out on the altars goods set out on the altars

pan de los muertospan de los muertos - bread of the - bread of the deaddead

mole Ofrenda

Pan de muertos

LinksLinks

Día de los Muertos: For Teachers and Día de los Muertos: For Teachers and StudentsStudents http://www.azcentral.com/ent/dead/http://www.azcentral.com/ent/dead/

teachers/ teachers/ Common misconceptions about the Common misconceptions about the

Day of the DeadDay of the Dead http://www.inside-mexico.com/noes.htm http://www.inside-mexico.com/noes.htm

History, Traditions, and SignificanceHistory, Traditions, and Significance http://www.nacnet.org/assunta/dead.htm http://www.nacnet.org/assunta/dead.htm