1. Día de los Muertos

2. ????? What is it? What is it? Los Dias de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead, is a traditional Mexico holiday honoring the dead. Los Dias de los Muertos is not a sad time, but instead a time of remembering and rejoicing. Los Dias de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead, is a traditional Mexico holiday honoring the dead. Los Dias de los Muertos is not a sad time, but instead a time of remembering and rejoicing. When is it? When is it? It is celebrated every year at the same time as Halloween and the Christian holy days of All Saints Day and All Souls Day (November 1st and 2nd). It is celebrated every year at the same time as Halloween and the Christian holy days of All Saints Day and All Souls Day (November 1st and 2nd). Therefore, Oct. 31 is meant to summon the agelitos( little angles) to come and visit on November 1 st. Therefore, Oct. 31 is meant to summon the agelitos( little angles) to come and visit on November 1 st. Where is it celebrated? Where is it celebrated? It is celebrated in Mexico, Ecuador, Guatemala, and other areas in Central and South America populated with the Latino ethnic background. The Day of the Dead is also celebrated in areas of the United States, such as California, Texas, and many others, in which the Mexican/American heritage exists. It is celebrated in Mexico, Ecuador, Guatemala, and other areas in Central and South America populated with the Latino ethnic background. The Day of the Dead is also celebrated in areas of the United States, such as California, Texas, and many others, in which the Mexican/American heritage exists.

3. What is The Day of The Dead? The original celebration can be traced to the festivities held during the Aztec month of Miccailhuitontli, ritually presided by the goddess Mictecacihuatl ("Lady of the Dead"), and dedicated to children and the dead. The original celebration can be traced to the festivities held during the Aztec month of Miccailhuitontli, ritually presided by the goddess Mictecacihuatl ("Lady of the Dead"), and dedicated to children and the dead.Aztec month of MiccailhuitontliAztec month of Miccailhuitontli The rituals during this month also featured a festivity dedicated to the major Aztec war deity, Huitzilopochtli ("Sinister Hummingbird"). The rituals during this month also featured a festivity dedicated to the major Aztec war deity, Huitzilopochtli ("Sinister Hummingbird").

4. Traditions: Skeletons Skeletons and skulls are found everywhere. Chocolate skulls, marzipan coffins, and white chocolate skeletons. Skeletons and skulls are found everywhere. Chocolate skulls, marzipan coffins, and white chocolate skeletons. Handmade skeleton figurines, called calacas, are especially popular. Calacas usually show an active and joyful afterlife. Figures of musicians, generals on horseback, even skeletal brides, in their white bridal gowns marching down the aisles with their boney grooms. Handmade skeleton figurines, called calacas, are especially popular. Calacas usually show an active and joyful afterlife. Figures of musicians, generals on horseback, even skeletal brides, in their white bridal gowns marching down the aisles with their boney grooms.

5. Traditions: Flowers During los Dias de los Muertos the yellow marigold symbolizes the short duration of life. During los Dias de los Muertos the yellow marigold symbolizes the short duration of life. Other flowers commonly seen during this celebration include the white amaryllis, wild orchids, baby's breath and ruby coxcombs are offered as adornment and enticement for the returning spirits. Other flowers commonly seen during this celebration include the white amaryllis, wild orchids, baby's breath and ruby coxcombs are offered as adornment and enticement for the returning spirits. Wreaths made of flowers, both real and plastic, are often placed on the grave sites. Wreaths made of flowers, both real and plastic, are often placed on the grave sites.

6. Traditions- Altars In the homes families arrange ofrenda's or "altars" with flowers, bread, fruit and candy. Pictures of the deceased family members are added. In the late afternoon special all night burning candles are lit - it is time to remember the departed - the old ones, their parents and grandparents. In the homes families arrange ofrenda's or "altars" with flowers, bread, fruit and candy. Pictures of the deceased family members are added. In the late afternoon special all night burning candles are lit - it is time to remember the departed - the old ones, their parents and grandparents. Altars should include: Altars should include: A picture of the one being remembered A picture of the one being remembered Items they were fond of Items they were fond of Something to snack on Something to snack on Candles Candles Flowers Flowers Gifts Gifts

7. Alters continued For each deceased relative a candle is set. Their light is thought to guide them on their way back. The light of the candles, also called ceras -waxes- symbolize Jesus Christ Reborn and faith. Incense, Copal, is burned and thought to elevate prayers to God. For each deceased relative a candle is set. Their light is thought to guide them on their way back. The light of the candles, also called ceras -waxes- symbolize Jesus Christ Reborn and faith. Incense, Copal, is burned and thought to elevate prayers to God.

8. Traditions: Food Pan de los Muertos Pan de los Muertos Special loaves of bread are baked, called pan de muertos, and decorated with "bones. Special loaves of bread are baked, called pan de muertos, and decorated with "bones.

9. Traditions: Papel Picado Papel Picado is a traditional art used to decorate homes, businesses, markets and altars in preparation for the Day of the Dead. Papel Picado is a traditional art used to decorate homes, businesses, markets and altars in preparation for the Day of the Dead. The thin tissue paper images are usually cut in large quantities and hung in repetitious patterns. The thin tissue paper images are usually cut in large quantities and hung in repetitious patterns.

10. La Catrina- José Guadalupe Posada’s La Catrina- José Guadalupe Posada’s An iconic picture for Día de los Muertos An iconic picture for Día de los Muertos Mockery Mockery

11. Glossary alfeñique - a special confection used to fashion skulls, fruits and other figures. alfeñique - a special confection used to fashion skulls, fruits and other figures. angelitos - the souls of the children who have died, literally "little angels" angelitos - the souls of the children who have died, literally "little angels" atole - an ancient drink made from corn meal and water flavored with various fruits. atole - an ancient drink made from corn meal and water flavored with various fruits. calavera - a skull, also a slang term for "daredevil" calavera - a skull, also a slang term for "daredevil"

12. alfenique atole calavera

13. Glossary calaveras - songs and poems about the festival calaveras - songs and poems about the festival careta -a face mask careta -a face mask Cascarones – confetti filled eggs Cascarones – confetti filled eggs Cempazuchitl or cempasúchil - a yellow marigold, the symbol of death Cempazuchitl or cempasúchil - a yellow marigold, the symbol of death copalli - a scented resin used to make candles copalli - a scented resin used to make candles

14. caretas Cascarones Cempasúchil Copalli

15. Glossary mole - a thick sauce made from a variety of ingredients including chilis, sesame seeds, herbs, spices, chocolate/fruit. mole - a thick sauce made from a variety of ingredients including chilis, sesame seeds, herbs, spices, chocolate/fruit. ofrenda - an offering, refers to the goods set out on the altars ofrenda - an offering, refers to the goods set out on the altars pan de los muertos - bread of the dead pan de los muertos - bread of the dead

16. mole Ofrenda Pan de muertos

17. Links Día de los Muertos: For Teachers and Students Día de los Muertos: For Teachers and Students http://www.azcentral.com/ent/dead/teachers/ http://www.azcentral.com/ent/dead/teachers/ http://www.azcentral.com/ent/dead/teachers/ Common misconceptions about the Day of the Dead Common misconceptions about the Day of the Dead http://www.inside-mexico.com/noes.htm http://www.inside-mexico.com/noes.htm http://www.inside-mexico.com/noes.htm History, Traditions, and Significance History, Traditions, and Significance http://www.nacnet.org/assunta/dead.htm http://www.nacnet.org/assunta/dead.htm http://www.nacnet.org/assunta/dead.htm