?????• What is it?

– El Dia de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead, is a traditional Mexicican holiday honoring the dead. El Dia de los Muertos is not a sad time, but instead a time of remembering and rejoicing.

• When is it?– It is celebrated every year at the same time as afterHalloween and

the Christian holy days of All Saints Day and All Souls Day (November 1st and 2nd).

• 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.

Customs vary throughout Mexico

Most celebrations include:

Decoration and family gathering at cemetery

Special foods

Ofrendas (offerings) on altars

Religious rites and prayers

Often there are fireworks!

In many regions, November 1 is dedicated to the remembrance of deceased infants and children

Adults are honored November 2

In mid-October markets begin displaying items needed for Dia de los Muertos including:

Skeletons (toys, figurines, sweets)

Papel PicadoFloral wreaths and

crossesCandlesFresh flowers

-cempazuchiles (marigolds)

-barro de obispo (cockscomb)

Sugar or chocolate skulls and coffins

Pan de muerto (bread of the dead)

Calacas

Skeletons are often shown in everyday activities which depict a dead person’s profession or interests. The calacas are often placed on altars. This shows the spirit that he has not been forgotten.

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.

• The thin tissue paper images are usually cut in large quantities and hung in repetitious patterns.

Papel Picado

Traditions: Flowers• 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.

• Wreaths made of flowers, both real and plastic, are often placed on the grave sites.

Fresh Flowers

Sugar Skulls

Children are given sugar skulls with their names written on the forehead!

Altars in the home

*Altars have decorations: papel picado, candles, flowers, photographs of the departed, candy skulls with the name of the deceased

*Altars have foods and drinks: bottles of beer or tequila, cups of atole (a sweet drink made of milk, sugar, and corn starch) or coffee, pop (many families will sacrifice to purchase a favorite brand!) and fresh water, as well as platters of rice, beans, chicken or meat in mole sauce, candied pumpkin or sweet potatoes, fruits and breads.

Spirits return home…there they find many “goodies” they enjoyed while living

A wash basin and clean towel are placed on the altar for the spirit to “freshen up” after a long journey

Favorite foods and drinksFavorite cigarettes or cigars

Toys and candy for spirits of deceased children

Atole de leche

Tamales

Traditions: Food

• Pan de los Muertos– Special loaves of bread are baked, called pan de

muertos, and decorated with "bones.

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.

• Altars should include:– A picture of the one being 

remembered – Items they were fond of – Something to snack on – Candles – Flowers – Gifts

The altar…

An area of the home is cleared of furnishings

Floors and walls are washed

A table is covered with clean sheets, a blanket, or tablecloth

Incense is usually burned

Many candles are lit

Family members clean tombs and gravestonesPull weedsTombs are painted and repaired if neededGraves are decorated with flower crosses, wreaths, or floral arrangements

This young boy has

returned from the market

with flowers for the

cemetery

Procession to the cemetery

The army band participates in a local parade

Many towns have parades including processions on

horseback

A group of músicos entertains at the cemetery

En el cementerio

Family members gather at the cemetery. They bring picnics and mariachi bands may play favorite songs. Local restaurants set up food stands. An outdoor church service is usually held.

Customs Around the WorldIn the USA, most people

avoid talking about death

Many other cultures around the world have rituals for remembering loved ones.

Many other cultures have similar rituals involving the lighting of lamps or candles and laying out food and drinks

Even ancient Egyptians had similar traditions or remembering loved ones

Muralismo- (muralism)• A mural is a painting applied to and made

integral with the surface of a wall or ceiling. • Muralism has existed since prehistoric times.• Diego Rivera is the most famous Latino Muralist

of the 20th century.• One of his most famous murals is titled “El dia de los muertos”

El día de los muertos- Diego Rivera