Español I Dia de los Muertos One of the most meaningful and colorful of Mexican celebrations

AGENDA La historia del Día de los Muertos Vocabulario Tradiciones y símbolos Battleship!

WHAT IS IT? Mexico’s most famous feriado A blend of pre-Hispanic indigenous beliefs and Spanish Catholic beliefs A month-long Aztec celebration dedicated to the “Lady of the Dead” Celebrated in remembrance and honor of those who passed Feriado – holiday Festive, joyous holiday on November 1 and 2

Setting up an alter with offerings in honor of the deceased HOW IS IT CELEBRATED? Setting up an alter with offerings in honor of the deceased Cleaning and decorating graves Community festivals, parades, street parties Staying up all night in the graveyard, sharing stories of the deceased, and playing their favorite music

WHY DO PEOPLE CELEBRATE DAY OF THE DEAD? “Dia de los Muertos allows the dead to live again. During this time it is believed that the deceased return to their earthly homes to visit and rejoice with their loved ones.” – from http://www.celebrate-day-of-the-dead.com Just like in the US we visit the graves of family members and friends to leave flowers and reconnect with them, Dia de los Muertos is a celebration about restoring connections with those who left us.

Día de los muertos Vocabulario

Vocabulario Calaca: a skeleton figure representing death. Candelero: a candlestick Calaveras: colorful sculptures of skulls used during Dia de los Muertos made from sugar or from papier-mache. Dulces: candies, sweets Ofrenda(s): an offering, often in the form of an altar, used to honor ancestors and others during Dia de los Muertos. Máscara / Careta: the mask Pan de muerto: special rolls made in the shape of skulls. Panteón: cemetery, graveyard. Tumba: grave

Tradiciones y símbolos Día de los muertos Tradiciones y símbolos One of the most meaningful and colorful of Mexican celebrations

Las Ofrendas Families prepare ornate, tiered altars or ofrendas those who died Candles, water, food, pictures, papel picado ("perforated paper“), pan de muerto (“bread of the dead”) Ofrendas are set up in homes and public places or plazas Families leave out food or items the person cherished while alive

Marigolds (“cempasuchitl”) are displayed as an important symbol of death The “flower of the dead” is spread over altars and graves Papel picado is a popular tissue paper decoration Used to adorn altars, shops, and cemeteries

Las calaveras are sugar skull candies LOS DULCES ESPECIALES Las calaveras are sugar skull candies They represent a departed soul and honor their return The skull symbolizes the soul There are clay toy versions painted silver, white, black, or red The painted skulls have unique patterns and vibrant colors

Gracias! Preguntas?