el 1 de noviembre

el Día de los Muertos Day of the Dead el Día de los Muertos Day of the Dead

Where did this holiday come from? Ancient indigenous peoples of Mexico Ancient indigenous peoples of Mexico Believed that the souls of the dead returned each year to visit with friends and family Believed that the souls of the dead returned each year to visit with friends and family All Saints Day/All Souls Day All Saints Day/All Souls Day It also comes from… The Celts and Druids – Samhain The Celts and Druids – Samhain Church’s attempt to cover Samhain Church’s attempt to cover Samhain The European presence in Mexico The European presence in Mexico

Actividad 1 Nezahualc ó yotl Read the poem silently to yourself. Read the poem silently to yourself. When the teacher tells you to, begin to discuss the poem – specifically the portrayal of death – with the person sitting next to you. When the teacher tells you to, begin to discuss the poem – specifically the portrayal of death – with the person sitting next to you. Be prepared to share your insights with the class. Be prepared to share your insights with the class.

Actividad 2 José Guadalupe Posada

Perceptions of Death Aztec & Mayan vs. Modern Mexico Perceptions of Death Aztec & Mayan vs. Modern Mexico Souls rest in Mictlan Souls rest in Mictlan Life was hard, death was expected Life was hard, death was expected Ultimate experience of life Ultimate experience of life Life’s reward for earthly struggle Life’s reward for earthly struggle Circle of Life Circle of Life Souls rest in Heaven or Hell Souls rest in Heaven or Hell Natural progression Natural progression Transition of life Transition of life Life/death/rebirth continuum – circle of life Life/death/rebirth continuum – circle of life

So, what happens on this holiday? Families prepare for the return of their departed loved ones Families prepare for the return of their departed loved ones Creation of ofrendas Creation of ofrendas Decorating gravesites Decorating gravesites Preparing a feast – pan de muerto, albuñiques Preparing a feast – pan de muerto, albuñiques Family celebrations and gatherings Family celebrations and gatherings

Preparing the Altar What? Boxes stacked in at least 3 levels, covered with a white tablecloth What? Boxes stacked in at least 3 levels, covered with a white tablecloth Where? In the home or a place of honor Where? In the home or a place of honor When? October 31 When? October 31 Who? Deceased family members Who? Deceased family members Why? To honor the dead and welcome them back for a feast Why? To honor the dead and welcome them back for a feast

La Ofrenda Earth, Water, Wind, and Fire are all represented Earth, Water, Wind, and Fire are all represented Demonstrates a strong sense of love and respect for the dead Demonstrates a strong sense of love and respect for the dead Celebrates the continuance of life Celebrates the continuance of life Composed of objects and symbols that represent the deceased Composed of objects and symbols that represent the deceased

Earth Objects the person prized such as a diploma, pictures of loved ones, jewelry, books Objects the person prized such as a diploma, pictures of loved ones, jewelry, books Foods the person enjoyed while on earth Foods the person enjoyed while on earth Pan de Muerto Pan de Muerto Salt – for seasoning the food and purification Salt – for seasoning the food and purification Sweets, especially albuñiques Sweets, especially albuñiques Cempasuchil – symbolizing the brevity of life Cempasuchil – symbolizing the brevity of life Calaveras Calaveras

Water A glass of water to quench thirst A glass of water to quench thirst A basin of water, soap, towel, mirror, and comb A basin of water, soap, towel, mirror, and comb Wind Papel picado/papel de chino (skeletons, flowers, birds Papel picado/papel de chino (skeletons, flowers, birds Purple (pain), white (hope), pink (celebration) Purple (pain), white (hope), pink (celebration)

Fire Copal – sap from a Mexican tree, burned to ward off evil spirits Copal – sap from a Mexican tree, burned to ward off evil spirits 4 Candles lit to represent the cardinal points 4 Candles lit to represent the cardinal points A candle for each deceased family member + 1 A candle for each deceased family member + 1

Feast and Celebration Families gather at the altars Families gather at the altars Dancing, singing, storytelling Dancing, singing, storytelling Prayers, blessings, chants Prayers, blessings, chants Bells begin to ring at 6pm Bells begin to ring at 6pm Feasting Feasting Stop at sunrise and loved ones depart Stop at sunrise and loved ones depart

3-2-1 Exit Card 3 traditions associated with the holiday 3 traditions associated with the holiday 2 perceptions of death 2 perceptions of death 1 object for an ofrenda 1 object for an ofrenda