El día de los muertosEl día de los muertos

“Life is but a dream. It is only when wedie, that we can truly live.”

La muerte = deathLa muerte = death

““The word ‘death’ is not pronouncedThe word ‘death’ is not pronouncedin New York, in Paris, in London,in New York, in Paris, in London,because it burns the lips. Thebecause it burns the lips. TheMexican, in contrast, is familiar withMexican, in contrast, is familiar withdeath, jokes about it, caresses it; it isdeath, jokes about it, caresses it; it isone of his favorite toys and mostone of his favorite toys and moststeadfast love.steadfast love.

-Octavio Paz-Octavio Paz

“ “ Una sociedad que niega la muerte, niega la vida “Una sociedad que niega la muerte, niega la vida “(“A society that denies death, denies life”)(“A society that denies death, denies life”)

“Don’t’ fear dying. Fear never having lived.” -Anonymous

La historiaLa historia•3,000 year old tradition, some suspect it may even trace back 5,000 years!• Can be traced back to the Aztecs and beyond•More than 500 years ago, when the Spanish Conquistadors landed in what is now Mexico, they saw native Indians practicing a ritual that seemed to mock death.•The best way to describe this Mexicanholiday is to say that it is a time when Mexican families remember their dead, and the continuity of life.

La creencia = the beliefLa creencia = the belief

•It is believed that during the days of November1st and 2nd, spirits have been granted Divineconsent to visit with their relatives and friendson Earth.• Beginning in mid-October, families prepare towelcome the souls of their relatives andancestors who return at this time of year tomake sure that all is well and that they havenot been forgotten.• Celebrations at home include family dinners,trips to the grave sites, “ofrendas” (orofferings), flowers, folk art, special foods, andcandies.

Halloween vs. Día de los muertosHalloween vs. Día de los muertos

Halloween Día de los muertos

•Night before

“All Saint’s Day”

(October 31)

•All Saint’s Day and the day after

(November 1st and 2nd)

•November 1st = los angelitos

(children’s spirits) return home

•November 2nd = adult spirits return home

•Evil Spirits roam the earth.

We dress our children in

“scary” costumes so

the spirits won’t take them.

•No costumes.

•Not an “evil” holiday.

•It is a celebration of

life and death.

•All negative representations of

death/terror.

•Positive celebrations of family,

ancestors, life, and community.

•Very humorous look at life.

Music and DanceMusic and Dance

The dancers carry calacas (artistic skeletons), pretending that the souls are visiting and doing a dance.

The drums are the most important part of the music associated with the supernatural to cause vitality and rhythm.

LaLass Ca Calacaslacas• Skeletons are often shown in everyday activities which depict a dead person’s profession or

interests.

CalacasCalacas

Calacas are skeletons used by dancers and are always used for the decoration of the Offering and on fireplaces. They are made by artists and are sold for decoration.

CalacasCalacas

La CatrinaLa Catrina• • Represents death (now)Represents death (now)

• • Was created by Jose Was created by Jose Guadelupe PosadaGuadelupe Posada

• • Notice: feminine form & Notice: feminine form & beautiful decorationsbeautiful decorations

CatrinaCatrinaCatrina is the most recognizable symbol for Day of the Dead. She is now a calacas and was painted by José Guadalupe Posada, a famous artist from Mexico.

Works of José Guadalupe Works of José Guadalupe PosadaPosada

MMaass Ca Calacaslacas

Las ofrendasLas ofrendas•Altars are set up at homes and at grave sites.

• Think: Memorials

• The most basic altar includes these basic needs:– WATER to quench the thirst and for purification– SALT to season the food and for purification– BREAD to represent the food needed for survival

• Most altars also have:– Flowers– Pictures– Favorite foods/drinks– Candy– Water– Religious symbols, art, or images (crosses, etc.)

Las ofrendas

Las ofrendas

o

Altares

En el cementerioEn el cementerio

La comida La comida • Pan de los MuertosPan de los Muertos

– Special loaves of bread are baked, called pan de muertos, and decorated with "bones.

MoleMole - -meat dishes in

spicy sauces

Mas comida Mas comida

Atole de lecheAtole de leche-A warm almost porridge-like drink made thick with masa.

TamalesTamales-packets of corn dough with a savory or sweet

filling and typically wrapped in corn husks or

banana leaves. 

Los Alfeñiques = Sugar SkullsLos Alfeñiques = Sugar Skulls••CANDIES:CANDIES:

••Skulls and skeletons areSkulls and skeletons are made made out of candy.out of candy.

••Names: living or deadNames: living or dead

El arte folklórico = Folk ArtEl arte folklórico = Folk Art• Common activities and eventsCommon activities and events

represented with “skeletal”represented with “skeletal”imagesimages

• • Albrijes = imaginary creaturesAlbrijes = imaginary creatures

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

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

Muralist of the 20Muralist of the 20thth century. century.• One of his most famous murals is titledOne of his most famous murals is titled

“ “El dia de los muertos”El dia de los muertos”

El día de los muertosEl día de los muertos- Diego Rivera

El día de los muertosEl día de los muertosCelebración y festejoCelebración y festejo

•Because of the warm social Because of the warm social environment, the colorful setting, and the environment, the colorful setting, and the

abundance of food, drink and good abundance of food, drink and good company this commemoration of the company this commemoration of the dead is a pleasant one despite of its dead is a pleasant one despite of its

morbid subject. morbid subject. •The festive interaction between living The festive interaction between living

and dead in an important social ritual and and dead in an important social ritual and a way of recognizing the cycle of life and a way of recognizing the cycle of life and death, in other words, human existence.death, in other words, human existence.

Una poema másUna poema másEs calavera el inglés,calavera el italiano,calavera fue el francés,lo mismo Maximiliano.El Pontífice Romanoy todos los cardenales,reyes, duques, concejalesy el jefe de la nación.En la tumba son iguales:calaveras del montón.

Proyecto del Dia de los Muertos • Color your CALACA to represent yourself. Color your CALACA to represent yourself. Your favorite sport. Make it colorful. Your favorite sport. Make it colorful. •Insert an image of your favorite athlete in the Insert an image of your favorite athlete in the sport ON THE HAT.sport ON THE HAT.•Draw and/or Insert images about your sport Draw and/or Insert images about your sport on pants of your calaca.on pants of your calaca.•Write a paragraph of 10 sentences or more IN Write a paragraph of 10 sentences or more IN SPANISH, stating what your favorite sport is, SPANISH, stating what your favorite sport is, why you like it, if you prefer to play it or watch why you like it, if you prefer to play it or watch it, who your favorite athlete in this sport and it, who your favorite athlete in this sport and why.why. DUE ON THURSDAY, NOV. 1DUE ON THURSDAY, NOV. 1