El Dia de los Muertos By: Jadey Richie Kym Ackley Sara House
History/Origin The Aztecs and other Mexican natives have been conducting rituals for the Day of the Dead since before the Spanish discovered them. The natives believed that death was only a continuation of life. The dead would then visit during the ritual that lasted all of the ninth month (our August).
Who Celebrates The Day of the Dead? The day of the dead is celebrated throughout Mexico as well as other parts of the world along with the United States though it's mostly celebrated in the states with high Mexican immigration populations such as Texas, Arizona, and California.
Where and When is the Day of the Dead Celebrated? The Day of the Dead is celebrated in public and private places, though mostly in homes and graveyards. It takes place on November 1st and 2nd.
What Music Do They Listen To?
Purpose of the celebration The Day of the Dead is meant to honor the dead and the life that they lived. Some early participants used it to give meaning to human existence.
Special Traditions Many people have special traditions when they celebrate El Dia De Los Muertos. The most common are: Building and decorating an altar with offerings, visiting, cleaning, and decorating gravesites, telling stories about the deceased, and making special foods.
What Do People Eat? There are many different foods associated with El Dia De Los Muertos.From sweets to bread to strange nasty drinks, everyone has to eat. Pan de Muerto-A sweet, sugary bread shaped into bones and often placed at the altar. Usually covered in powdered sugar Candied Pumpkin- Pumpkin slices covered in glaze and eaten by the family Atole- a hot masa gruel for returning/leaving spirits Sugar Skulls- Sugar Mixture pressed into molds and dried, decorated with paint, flowers, feathers, feathers, and sequins
The Altars- Los Altares Most altars take at least a week to build, and some families have professionals come in and build huge, elaborate altars. They usually have at least two tiers, sometimes more, and are covered in pictures, food, drink, toys, and other offerings for the deceased.
Los Altares
Dead People Picnic Usually, the whole family will go to the cemetery with flowers, food, blankets, and other decorations for the grave. More often than not, it turns into an all day picnic in the graveyard. Then, that night, everyone lights candles and sings songs about dead people.
Storytelling The stories told about the deceased are called calaveras. They are usually funny, and occasionally make fun of them when they were living. It is believed that the dead don't want to be remembered in a sad light, so they don't tell sad stories.
A Little Bit O' Randomness A popular figure of the Day of the Dead celebrations that take place in Mexico is a catrina - a skeletal female vision that usually wears elaborate hats upon her head and is often seen carrying a bouquet of flowers November 1 honors children and infants. Deceased adults are honored on November 2. Sugar skulls have the name of the deceased on the forehead, and are eaten by a relative or close friend. It's almost like cannibalism.
Vocabulary Words Calavera- a skull Angelitos- the souls of the children who have died,"little angels" Calacas- whimsical skeleton figures that represent death Calaveritas de azucar- sugar skulls Golletes- a doughnut shaped bread, glazed with pink colored sugar and placed on the altar Copalli- a scented resin used to make incense Cempazuchitl- a yellow marigold, the symbol of death Atole- an ancient drink made from cornmeal and water and flavored with fruit Calaveras- songs and poems about the festival Iluminacion- a ceremony that takes place in the cemetery, where candles are lit to guide the souls to their altars Arco- a decorated arch sometimes placed on graves Alfenique- a special connection used to fashion skulls, fruits, and other figures Careta- a mask worn by dancers used to scare the dead away at the end of the celebration Ofrenda- an offering, refers to the goods on the altars Mole- a thick sauce made from a variety of ingredients including chilis, sesame seeds, herbs, spices, chocolate and fruit.
Mexican Halloween? Nope. The Day of the Dead isn't really like any holidays Americans celebrate. In fact, the Day of the Dead and Halloween have very little in common. However, this practice is similar to Americans leaving flowers by a relative's grave.
Questions? 1. Who is known to have first celebrated el Dia de los Muertos? 2. On what days is it celebrated? 3. What are the main activities? 4. Why do people celebrate this holiday? 5. What are some of the food/drinks?
Bibliography Miller, Carlos. Day of the Dead history: Indigenous people wouldn't let the 'Day of the Dead' die. The Arizona Republic. Herz, May. (1999). Day of the Dead: Celebration, History, & Origins. Day of the Dead- El Dia de Muertos. McArdle, Thaneeya. (2010). Day of the Dead Facts. Celebrate Day of the Dead. Glossary. AZCentral. Kenyon, Chelsie. Dia de los Muertos "Day of the Dead". About.com Guide
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