El Día de los Muertos Nicho Project

Holiday Overview El Día de los Muertos is celebrated on November 1 st & 2 nd. It is celebrated only in certain parts of Mexico and Central America. The holiday is about remembering loved ones that have died and doing things throughout the holiday to include them in your life again. Its purpose is to also face the fear of death through humor, wit and artistry. The holiday originated with the Aztecs and evolved from their unique outlook on death.

Traditional Items Day of the Dead folk art, food and decorations are very colorful and have a distinct look. Skeletons represent the living and the dead so they are the main symbol for the holiday and are featured prominently in most everything. Special foods and candies are prepared for the celebration.

Ofrendas People decorate an area of their homes with an ofrenda (an offering) to honor their deceased family members. The altar is decorated with candles, photographs, fruits, candy and the traditional flower of the dead, “cempazúchil.” Favorite foods, drinks and items of the deceased are also placed on the ofrenda.

La Catrina A Mexican artist named José Guadalupe Posada ( ), came up with the look of the holiday that we see today. He created the famous symbol for the Day of the Dead, a skeletal woman named “La Catrina.” It is customary to see calacas (skeletons) clothed and depicted in living situations.

Nichos “Nichos” are shadow boxes/dioramas depicting “calacas” – skeletons - in a living situation. They are satirical in nature and are used to poke fun at the living and even death itself. They typically have a funny title, caption or pun. For example:

Nichos can also be created to highlight a celebrity, a well-known character or memorable scene. For example:

Student Nicho Examples

Materials You will need a shoebox and other materials such as: clay, construction paper, paints, markers, glitter, etc. You do not have to use any particular material but students in the past have had great success with Crayola Model Magic (found in hobby stores, Wal-Mart, Target, etc.).

Nicho Instructions Decide on a witty theme/pun or a famous personality/memorable scene. Make a list of the materials you will need to find/purchase. Find an average size shoebox that you can use. Do NOT use the lid as extension of the scene – the nicho must be completely inside the main part of the shoebox. You may use the lid as a “frame” by closing the box and cutting out the middle. Nichos may be made vertically or horizontally, depending on how much space you need. Calacas (skeletons) MUST be handmade! Plastic, store-bought items, etc. may be used in other décor but not in the making of the actual skeleton(s). Your goal is a festive, folksy look. Have fun and be creative! Be sure to cover the entire shoebox (no brands, labels, etc. should be showing) and create a decorative border. Don’t forget to add your theme/pun or the name of your famous personality. Write your full name, teacher and class period on the back of the completed nicho.

General Project Information Project directions and theme ideas are available online on the class Web site. Nichos will be graded based on creativity, neatness, details, theme relevance and following directions. This project will be worth a major grade so get started! You can start bringing projects any time. You will receive 5 extra points if you turn it in before October 31. Any questions or doubts? Just ask!