2. Day of The Dead A Mexican-American Celebration By David B. and Alex M.

3. Food Some traditional recipes are a rice called arroz a la mexicana. Pan de muertos, or “bread of the dead” are loaves that are often shaped like people and decorated with bright pink sugar.

4. Facts About Day of the Dead The drawing of an ancient clay head found in Oayaca show both life and death. The Aztecs came into the valley of Mexico in about 1325. Babies and little children who died went to a place called Chichihuacuauhco. Many people in Central America and Mexico still think of death as a continuation of life. In Spanish day of the dead means Dia de Muertos.

5. Masks Masks are important to the celebration of the day of the dead. Traditionally, masks are worn during the procession in the cemetery and for acting plays. Many papier-mache masks of the skulls or calaveras are inspired by the drawings of a Mexican artist who lived long ago. His name was Jose Guadalupe Posada (1851-1913).

6. The Procession The Mexican-American community in Sacramento gathers on the afternoon of November 2 in St. Mary’s cemetery. As people gather outside the gates, the ceremony begins with a prayer for the dead. Starting in the north, everyone walks through the cemetery in a procession. The procession is not a typical parade where people are having fun and showing off. After the opening prayers, the marchers visit each of the four directions: north, west, south, and east.

7. Credits By: Alex M. and David B. Animation by Alex M. Pictures by David Blakeslee