El Día de los Muertos

30 octubre 2014

¿Quién?

• Aztecs

• Mexicans

• Chicanos/Mexican Americans

¿Cuándo? • The Day of the Dead has its origins from pre-Hispanic civilizations from

2,500 to 3,000 years ago, long before the Spaniards conquered Mexico. That celebration took place in the 9th month of the Aztec calendar (about August in today’s calendar) and lasted the whole month.

• The Day of the Dead actually takes place on two days. The Day of the Dead is on November 2nd, but the celebration starts from November 1st.

• The Day of the Dead coincides with the Catholic celebrations of the Día de los Santos or All Saints’ Day (November 1st) and the Día de los Fieles Difuntos or All Souls’ Day (November 2nd). –Source: Catholic.net

¿Por Qué?• Indigenous people from Mexico believe the soul is eternal and that it can

travel back and forth from this world and the next. The celebration of the Day of the Dead is based on the belief that the souls of their loved ones will come back and visit them.

• In most regions of Mexico, November 1st is to honor children and infants, whereas deceased adults are honored on November 2nd. This is indicated by referring to November 1st mainly as Día de los Inocentes or Day of the Innocents but also as Día de los Angelitos or Day of the Little Angels and November 2nd as Día de los Muertos or Día de los Difuntos or Day of the Dead.

• Day of the Dead traditions vary among regions and villages. The way that The Day of the Dead is celebrated today is a blend of the indigenous civilization traditions with the Catholic religion inherited from Spain.

¿Qué?

• One of the most important traditions is the set up of an altar in memory of the deceased where the four elements of nature, water, wind, fire (candles) and earth (flowers) are represented.

• Prior to the Day of the Dead, families embellished the tombs of their loved ones for a vigil during the night. The vigil lasts until dawn and includes music, food and drinks at the graveyard.

Imagenes Importante

• Mexican cempasúchitl (marigold) is the traditional flower used to honor the dead. It is yellow like the sun and represents life and hope. They are used in the altars and graveyards.

• In the pre-Hispanic era, skulls were commonly kept as trophies and displayed during the rituals to symbolize death and rebirth.

• Candy skulls made of sugar are part of the Day of the Dead tradition. Placing the calaveritas or little skulls in the altars as an offering is a custom from urban areas.

• The most iconic skeleton is La Catrina, originally named La Calavera Garbancera, created by Mexican artist José Guadalupe Posada in the 1800’s.

Actividad para hoy

• Papel Picado: a decoration used to embellish the alter of a deceased loved one.– each student will receive a piece of construction

paper, and a pair of scissors– You decide the design!