Day of The DeadA Mexican-American Celebration

By David B. and Alex M.

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.

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.

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).

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.

Credits

By: Alex M. and David B.

Animation by Alex M.

Pictures by David Blakeslee