El día de los muertos

A celebration that honors the dead A celebration that honors the dead. Coincides with the Catholic celebrations of All Souls and All Saints day on the 1st and 2nd of November.

historia Aztecs and meso-americans kept skulls as trophies and displayed them during rituals Skulls – death and rebirth Death – continuation of life embraced it Spaniards tried to eradicate the custom Originally celebrated in August (month long celebration)

Mictecacihuatl – godess A.K.A. Lady of the Dead Believed to have died at birth

Celebrates and remembers deceased with festive music and food filled celebrations

People create altars in their homes (7 steps- 7 stages that the dead have to pass through before being able to rest)

include the 4 basic elements of nature Salt – purifies Copal – (tree resin) for the souls to follow (marigolds (cempasuchil) Incense Pictures of the deceased Favorite foods and drinks of the deceased Sugar skulls bearing the names of their deceased relatives include the 4 basic elements of nature Earth – represented by the fruits that nurture the soul with their aroma Wind – confetti Water – to quench their thirst from their journey from the spirit world to the land of the living Fire – candles to represent each soul being remembered and one for a forgotten soul

Pan de muertos – a special bread made especially for the season

Graves are decorated

The spirits go there first In some places flower petals are laid in paths from the cemetery to the house so the spirits can find their way Some spend the whole night at the cemetery Music, talking, dancing and drinking

Children are celebrated on November 1 Adults are celebrated on November 2