El Día de los Muertos The Day of the Dead

Today’s Learning Goal: In the lesson, students will be able to: Know vocabulary that deals with the Day of the Dead Learn culture based around Day of the Dead. Commemorate someone or a pet that you cared for.

Día De Los Muertos What is it? Día de los Muertos is a time to honor and celebrate loved ones who have passed away and are no longer with us. It’s a time for rejoicing and remembrance. The celebration occurs on both November 1st and 2nd in connection with All Saint’s Day (Día de los Innocentes) and All Soul's Day, (Día de los Muertos) a few days after Halloween (October 31). Primarily celebrated throughout Mexico, though other countries celebrate their own versions.

Let’s Compare Halloween Día De Los Muertos October 31st. Old Irish – time to store food for upcoming winter months. Celebrates end of summer and coming of winter. Harmful spirits warded off by wearing frightening costumes and masks. Common Symbol – Jack O’Lantern November 1st and 2nd Aztec Tradition dedicated to the Lady of the Dead. Celebrates the life & death of ancestors, friends & family. Home altars with foods, drinks and flowers the loved one enjoyed in their life. Common Symbol – the skull or “calaca”

Día de los Muertos In many regions of Mexico, November 1st is dedicated to the remembrance of infants and children who have passed away. It is called “Día de los Innocentes”. November 2nd is when the adults are remembered, which is where “Día de los Muertos” comes from. You’re thinking, “Why celebrate this? This is WEIRD!” Let’s find out why…

so why Celebrate This? Most people in the U.S. avoid talking about death or prefer not to remember a loved one because of the sadness or pain it brings up after they’ve passed away. This is perfectly natural. However… Many other cultures around the world have rituals for remembering loved ones who have since passed away as a way to remain close to their memory. (especially if they were really nice and very loved). Some cultures light a lamp or a candle as a representation of their soul. Others may offer food or drink to the “soul” who has left the earth.

How is it Celebrated? There are many preparations in order to begin celebration of “El Día de los Muertos”. In mid-October, markets begin displaying necessary items such as: skeletons (toys, candy); floral wreaths and crosses, candles, Marigold flowers, candy coffins and chocolate skulls, & “pan de muerto” (bread of the dead), favorite drinks. Wait…bread of the dead?! WHAT?! Who’s that bread for, anyways?

Food & Día DE Los Muertos Now you’re wondering, “What is all that food for if we’re the only ones going to eat it?” While yes, YOU and your friends/family that are living will be eating all of that candy, food and drinks, there are some old beliefs that come with Day of the Dead. Let’s find out on the next slide.

Food & Día De los Muertos Since this is an old Aztec tradition, it was once believed that on “Día de los Muertos”, the spirit would make a trip from the Underworld and come visit you to celebrate their former life with you. (Keep in mind – NOT IN A CREEPY WAY) The “Pan de Muertos” and the drinks were there to nourish the spirit because he/she is hungry after traveling all that way just to see you On their way back to the Underworld, they have to eat something so they don’t get too hungry!

Calaca/Calavera Calaca is a term for skeleton in Mexican Spanish. Foods such as sugar or chocolate skulls have the name of the receiver written on the forehead Sugar skulls as gifts can be given to both the living and the dead

Pan De Muerto pan de muerto, a sweet egg bread made in various shapes from plain rounds to skulls and rabbits, often decorated with white frosting to look like twisted bones. The bones represent the loved one. A baked tear drop on the bread to represent sorrow. The bones are represented in a circle to portray the circle of life.

Catrina

Cempasúchil cempasúchil is also called the flor de muertos These are marigolds.

Other PreparaTions In order to lay out the “loved ones” favorite meals, drinks and memorabilia for their “return”, there needs to be a little bit of preparation both in the home and outside. Let’s find out!

Inside An area of the house is cleared of furniture and decorations. Floors and walls are washed A table with a covering is placed in a prominent location This will be the shrine or “altar” for the deceased.

The Shrine Candles & Incense are lit Papel picado decorations : project to follow. Favorite foods and drinks Flowers, usually marigolds Photographs of the loved one Other memorabilia that was important to them.

The Shrine The Spirit of the Loved One returns home & finds all the “goodies” they enjoyed while living. A wash cloth and wash basin are placed on the shrine for them to “freshen up” after their long journey.

Outside Preparation Family members clean the gravestone or tomb of their loved one. Weeds are pulled Tombs are repaired or painted if necessary Graves are decorated with flowers and or wreaths.

Outside Preparation Now, this next bit probably will sound absurd to you. Some families will have a picnic at night next to the tombstone and tell stories about their missing loved one. Don’t worry…most other people are camping out in the cemetery too. There are lot of candles and it is well lit, so it’s not so creepy.

Día De lOs Innocentes Día de los Innocentes is when the remembrance of the little ones takes place. Toys, candy and other memorabilia are placed on their shrine Takes place on Nov. 1st

Día De Los Muertos This is when the adults are honored. Takes place on November 2nd.

Reflection Think about someone from your past who you really cared about who is no longer here on Earth. How would you honor them? What kinds of objects would you keep near you to remember them as a person? Write down three ideas on how you would honor them. Discuss with a partner.

To Celebrate Following is a simple plan if you want to take part in celebrating this holiday: Create an altar with lots of bright marigold flowers or flowers in season Place photographs of your deceased loved ones on an altar Prepare food and drink that remind you of them Place candles on the altar to be lit during your celebration Play their favorite music Retell stories of the deceased to those in attendance This day is filled with eating, drinking, and telling stories of those being honored.

Papel Picado Papel Picado is a very well-known Mexican craft. Colored tissue paper is cut into small patterns similar to making paper snowflakes. The cut paper is then hung onto a string to make a banner for decoration at parties or celebrations. Let’s learn how to make it!

Papel Picado You will need a 12’’ by 18’’ sheet of paper. Construction paper will do as well. Scissors Stapler String

Papel Picado Directions: Spread paper flat. Fold down 1’’ on the 18’’ (long side) of the paper to make a hanging flap. Fold paper in half on the short side (12’’) and creas on the fold to make a sharp line. Fold the paper twice diagonally. Cut out designs along the folded edge. Experiment with geometric designs. Cut a scalloped design on the outside edge. Open the cutout and staple to a string to hang across a room to decorate for a fiesta.