Day of the Dead

Death is seen as a continuum of life! The day of the dead is a day of remembrance in Mexican culture. They do not fear death, they believe it to be a new journey. Death is seen as a continuum of life!

Customs vary throughout Mexico, but are embedded with Pre-Hispanic and Spanish customs Most celebrations include: Decoration and family gathering at cemetery Special foods Ofrendas (offerings) on altars Religious rites and prayers Often there are fireworks!

Ancient Civilizations conquered by the Spanish empire : Aztec, Inca, and Maya All conquered by the Spanish. Compared death to the cyclical nature of agriculture. Trees, plants, and crops grow from the ground in which the dead were buried. Special months were dedicated to honor the deceased based on: child vs. adult and how they died

The Spanish Arrival Columbus: 1492 Syncretism- a blending of Spanish and indigenous beliefs and practices

Columbian Exchange: the widespread transfer of animals, plants, culture, human populations, technology, & ideas between the Americas & the Old World in the 15th & 16th centuries, related to European colonization & trade after Christopher Columbus's 1492 voyage.

Rituals were changed to coincide with Catholic holidays- All Saints Day (11/1) and All Soul’s Day (11/2) In many regions, November 1 is dedicated to the remembrance infants and children… El día de los inocentes. Adults are celebrated on November 2

Family members start preparing weeks before Family members start preparing weeks before. They clean tombs and gravestones, and pull weeds. Tombs are painted and repaired if needed Graves are decorated with flower crosses, wreaths, or floral arrangements

En el cementerio Family members gather at the cemetery. They bring picnics and mariachi bands may play favorite songs. Local restaurants set up food stands. An outdoor church service is usually held.

A group of músicos entertains at the cemetery

Floral wreaths and crosses Marigolds/ Cempasuchitl- Flower of the Dead Many times, people will leave a trail of marigolds from the altar to their house. The scent attracts the souls and draws them back to Earth.

Velas (Candles) Guide the spirit back home

Las Ofrendas- Altar/ offering

Significant objects of deceased 4 elements- water, wind, fire, earth Water- to quench spirits thirst after journey Fire- candles Wind- papel picado Earth- food (pan de muerto, Mole, fruit, atole, chocolate Flowers, pictures, religious items Children- toys, sugar skulls

The altar/ ofrenda… An area of the home is cleared of furnishings Floors and walls are washed A table is covered with clean sheets, a blanket, or tablecloth. Incense is usually burned. Many candles are lit

Spirits return home…there they find many “goodies” they enjoyed while living A wash basin and clean towel are placed on the altar for the spirit to “freshen up” after a long journey Folktale- Dead spirits will get revenge on the living if they get poor treatment on these days

Papel Picado Mexican folk art. The designs are commonly cut from tissue paper using a guide and small chisels, creating as many as forty banners at a time. Papel picado can also be made by folding tissue paper and using small, sharp scissors. Common themes include birds, floral designs, and skeletons. 

Pan de Muerto (bread of the dead)

Sugar Skulls Children are given sugar skulls with their names written on the forehead! http://www.mexicansugarskull.com/

Mole (pronounced mole-ay) sauce with many spices and herbs

Tamales

In mid-October markets begin displaying items needed for Dia de los Muertos including: Skeletons (toys, figurines, sweets) Papel Picado Floral wreaths and crosses Candles Fresh flowers -Sugar or chocolate skulls and coffins Pan de muerto (bread of the dead)

Dancing!!! La Danza de los Tecuanes La Danza de los Viejitos https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMXaiU3-WoQ La Danza de los Viejitos https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdhHUvBrA7c

Chicano Movement- The Chicano Movement of the 1960s, also called the Chicano Civil Rights Movement or El Movimiento, was a civil rights movement extending the Mexican American Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s with the stated goal of achieving Mexican American empowerment. Gave Latinos pride in their ethnic identity and heritage and enabled them to combat the negative stereotypes. Renewed interest in celebrating Day of the Dead Enabled Latinos to remember personal and communal antepasados (ancestors) and strengthened their sense of historic past.

CALAVERAS- José Guadalupe Posada   Used as political satire to criticize political aspects of society    We can thank artist José Guadalupe Posada for popularizing them and for dreaming up La Calavera de La Catrina as a satire to the upper classes. Little did he know it would become his most famous lithograph and one of the most obvious graphic representations of Día de los Muertos and Mexican culture at large.

CALACAS These are basically skeletons having a blast in their afterlife!  Calacas are used as decoration and also to spoof on popular celebrities and politicians by creating calacas in their image.  The tradition is to dress them up in colorful clothes and have them appear to be dancing,  playing a musical instrument, eating and just plain having fun.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfqnulWWxbM

Calacas Skeletons are often shown in everyday activities which depict a dead person’s profession or interests. The calacas are often placed on altars. This shows the spirit that he has not been forgotten.

Customs Around the World In the USA, most people avoid talking about death Many other cultures around the world have rituals for remembering loved ones. Many other cultures have similar rituals involving the lighting of lamps or candles and laying out food and drinks Even ancient Egyptians had similar traditions or remembering loved ones What do you think????

Conclusion: Even with the drastic changes brought on by the Spanish conquest, the indigenous people were able to retain this long held practice and combine it with Spanish aspects to create what is known as Día de los Muertos. Though it has changed over the years, the underlying sense of commitment in honoring the deceased has remained https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCQnUuq-TEE