Los Días de los Muertos

The Days of the Dead

First Let´s Think about Halloween….

Quickly write down as many Halloween customs as you can think of (things that you do on this day)….

Trick or treat

Tee-peeing

Dressing up in costumesTelling scary stories

Eating caramel applesCarving pumpkins

Watching scary movies

Los Días de los Muertos, or days of the dead, are a celebration in Mexico and other Central American countries where family members commemorate their ancestors in a way that is different than in the U.S.

This important holiday is held on November 1 and 2. It is a holiday that mixes parts of Roman Catholicism with Native-American beliefs.

This holiday, which falls around the same time as Halloween, is different since it does not inlude imagery such as witches, black cats, or pumpkins. And while Halloween is associated with costumes and trick-or-treating, Día de los Muertos is more of a memorial-type holiday.

Calacas (Skeletons)

Both holidays do share the image of skeletons. Although the skeleton is a strong symbol for both Halloween and los Días de Los Muertos, the meaning is very different. For los Días de Los Muertos the skeleton represents the dead playfully mimicking the living and is not meant to be scary at all.

Ofrendas

• On Los Días de los Muertos, it is believed that the souls of departed family members come back to spend the day with those still living.

• To commemorate departed loved ones, and to welcome them back for the day, families often set up altars, called ofrendas, either at their home……

…or at the cemetary

Throughout the day, they will honor the memory of their ancestors by feasting on food such as pan de muertos (bread of the dead) and calaveras de azúcar (sugar skulls), and by playing their favorite songs.

Las Ofrendas

“There are two aspects to altar making on el Dia de los Muertos (the Day of the Dead). The first is to communicate with those that are no longer physically with us. I don’t see how this is any different from people going to visit the graves of their dearly departed. It isn’t about witchcraft, it is about having an eternal dialogue with those that we love. The second aspect is the connection it provides us to the world at large and to our place in the after-life. By building an altar we are acknowledging that we go on and that not being physically present isn’t the same as being gone.”

-Ladislao Loera

– This holiday is not meant to be scary. Although the images of skeletons and the thought of spending the night in the cemetary may seem strange to us, for Mexicans and other spanish-speakers, it is simply a way of remembering loved ones.

– Those who celebrate the Days of the Dead understand that we all will die some day, and so instead of being afraid of death, they choose to embrace it by making alters for the deceased and even make fun of it by creating silly images of skeletons.

Construyendo una ofrenda

Las ofrendas deben (should) incluir: • a picture of the one being remembered • items they were found of • something to snack on • candles • flowers • gifts

Las ofrendas pueden (may) incluir: • pictures of saints or religious icons • toy skeletons, skulls or bones • Calaveras (sugar skulls)• Papel picado (decorative paper)• books • their favorite drink and a glass • soap, water & a small towel (because being dead can be messy)

Fotos y Estatuas(Photos and Statues)

The centerpiece is usually a photo of the most recently departed family member or whoever the ofrenda is dedicated to. Photos or statues of patron saints are also on the altar.

Comidas y Bebidas(Food and Drink)

The deceased's favorite food and drinks are set out. Childrens' foods may be served in smaller portions, are usually milder flavored and include many sweets. Adult foods are spicier and more varied. Although the spirits can not physically eat, they are thought to absorb the essence and enjoy the smells. The one constant food on the ofrenda is the Bread of the Dead.

Flores(Flowers)

Flowers symbolize the brevity of life. They are arranged on the ofrenda and may be sprinkled from the gravesite to the home, creating a pathway for the dead. The scent also helps the souls to find their way home. The traditional flower is the cempazuchitl (zempasuciti), a type of marigold.

Velas e Inciensocandles and incense

• Many candles are added to the ofrenda and are different shapes, sizes, and designs.

• Copal incense is used to help spirits find their way to this world. It is believed that the scent will help guide the spirits.

Papel Picado

• Papel Picado, or punched paper , is a traditional decoration made by cutting intricate designs into colored tissue paper. On los Días de los Muertos these papers can be found strung in banners in the streets and placed on ofrendas.

Preguntas

1. List 2 ways in which Los Días de los Muertos are similar to Halloween

2. List 2 ways in which they are different.3. Why are Los Días de los Muertos celebrated?4. What are 2 customs or traditions that are

part of Los Días de los Muertos5. List 4 items that you might find on an

ofrenda.

Repuestas1. Celebrated at almost the same time.

Both use skeleton images.People dress up.

2. Halloween is meant to be scary. Black cats, jack o´ lanterns and witches are all part of Halloween. Kids trick or treat. Los Días de los muertos is a time to remember loved ones. It is not meant to be scary but rather embraces death as a natural part of life. Families build ofrendas and often celebrate the day in the cemetary.

3. To commemorate departed love ones4. Building Ofrendas. Eating Pan de Muertos y Calaveras de Azucar.

Spending the day (and sometimes night) in the cemetary. 5. Pictures of the deceased, favorite foods, pan de muertos, calaveras

de azucar, favorite drinks, toy skeletons and skulls, flowers, candles, incense, water, favorite items of the departed- such as toys and books.

Make your own skeleton

• Paper Plate Skeleton