Hispanic Heritage Hispanic Heritage MonthMonth

Sept. 15Sept. 15thth- Oct. 15- Oct. 15thth

QuincineraQuincinera

Quincinera is a celebration given for Quincinera is a celebration given for 15 year old girls as a “coming out” 15 year old girls as a “coming out” party when a girl comes out of party when a girl comes out of childhood into adulthood.childhood into adulthood.

The celebration begins with a mass, The celebration begins with a mass, or church service blessing the girl as or church service blessing the girl as she steps from childhood.she steps from childhood.

The girl is often given a porcelain doll The girl is often given a porcelain doll as her last gift of childhood.as her last gift of childhood.

Family and friends are asked to Family and friends are asked to be “godparents” to help pay be “godparents” to help pay for the elaborate celebration.for the elaborate celebration.

A hall is rented.A hall is rented. Often a limosine is hired.Often a limosine is hired. The girl takes dance lessons to learn The girl takes dance lessons to learn

special dances.special dances.

El dia de los muertosEl dia de los muertos(The Day of the Dead)(The Day of the Dead)

El dia de los muertos is from October El dia de los muertos is from October 3131stst-November 2-November 2ndnd

On October 31On October 31stst children dress up in children dress up in costumes and knock on doors. costumes and knock on doors. Instead of getting candy, they get Instead of getting candy, they get pesos, Mexican coins.pesos, Mexican coins.

The marigold is the traditional flower The marigold is the traditional flower of the dead.of the dead.

Los muertos is the name of a bread Los muertos is the name of a bread that is traditionally used. It is shaped that is traditionally used. It is shaped like a skeleton.like a skeleton.

Salt and water are also left at the Salt and water are also left at the graves. They are a symbol of ongoing graves. They are a symbol of ongoing life.life.

On Nov. 1On Nov. 1stst, they honor and , they honor and celebrate the lives of children celebrate the lives of children

that have died.that have died. Families go to the cemeteries and Families go to the cemeteries and

bring toys, puzzles, games, candies, bring toys, puzzles, games, candies, or other treats that the child enjoyed or other treats that the child enjoyed in life and put them on the graves.in life and put them on the graves.

In some areas they would share the In some areas they would share the toys and food among those who are toys and food among those who are there, and in other regions they there, and in other regions they would leave the gifts at the grave.would leave the gifts at the grave.

November 2November 2ndnd is the day when is the day when adult family members are adult family members are

remembered.remembered. Foods that represent that person are Foods that represent that person are

brought as well as items that show brought as well as items that show what they enjoyed doing in life.what they enjoyed doing in life.

Las PosadasLas Posadas

Las Posadas happens the week Las Posadas happens the week before Christmas.before Christmas.

Families parade through the streets Families parade through the streets with candles singing carols.with candles singing carols.

When they come to a house, When they come to a house, someone knocks at the door asking if someone knocks at the door asking if there is any room.there is any room.

They are told no.They are told no.

When they come to the house where When they come to the house where the party is to take place, they are the party is to take place, they are allowed to enter and are given hot allowed to enter and are given hot punch and food, like tamales or punch and food, like tamales or tacos.tacos.

There are pinates for the children.There are pinates for the children.

HolidaysHolidays

In Mexico, church holidays are also In Mexico, church holidays are also state holidays, because most of the state holidays, because most of the people are Catholic.people are Catholic.

Dec. 12Dec. 12thth, is the Day of the Virgin of , is the Day of the Virgin of GuadelupeGuadelupe

Regional CostumesRegional Costumes

Mexico is divided into regions much Mexico is divided into regions much like our states. People from different like our states. People from different regions have different costumes.regions have different costumes.