day of the dead, día de los muertos, calaveras, historia

1. Día de los Muertos

2. ¿Qué es el Día de los Muertos?
Los Días de los Muertos, the Days of
the Dead, is a traditional Mexican holiday
honoring the dead. Los Días de los Muertos
is not a sad time, but instead a time of
remembering and rejoicing.
Although it takes place near
Halloween, it is in no way
associated with Halloween.

3. ¿Cuándo es la celebración?
It is celebrated every year at the same time as the
Christian holy days of All Saints Day and All Souls
Day (November 1st and 2nd).
All Saints Day: for the kids All Souls Day: for the adults

4. ¿Dónde celebra?
This holiday has long been celebrated in Mexico,
Ecuador, Guatemala, and other areas in Central and South
America populated with the Latino ethnic background.
Oaxaca, Mexico is known for having the biggest and most
elaborate Day of the Dead celebrations.

5. ¿Dónde celebra?
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.

6. Tradiciones: La Ofrenda
In the homes, families arrange ofrendas or
"altars" with flowers, bread, fruit and candy.
Pictures of the deceased family members are
added. Other items the person liked are added.

7. La Ofrenda
In the late afternoon,
special all night burning candles
are lit to help guide the souls
back and flower petals are
scattered throughout - it is time
to remember the departed –
lost loved ones.

8. Tradiciones: Cementerios
To ensure the spirits that they are still
loved and cared for, families gather at the loved
one’s grave to pull weeds and pick up trash. The
graves are also decorated with paint, flowers,
and candles.

9. Cementerios
Families will also bring bands to play their loved
one’s favorite song.

10. Tradiciones: Comida
Pan de muertos
Special loaves of bread are baked, called pan de muertos, and
decorated with "bones”. Many are coated with a light orange
glaze and sugar sprinkles.

11. Tradiciones: Comida
Sugar Skulls
These are a must have for any ofrenda. They
can either be made at home or purchased from
a street vendor. Come in a variety of designs
and colors.

12. Tradiciones: Flores
During los Días de los Muertos the
orange/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.
Wreaths made of flowers, both real and
plastic, are often placed on the grave sites.

13. Tradiciones: 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.

14. Tradiciones: Calacas & Calaveras
Skeletons and skulls are found everywhere!
Handmade skeleton figurines, called calacas, are
especially popular. Calacas usually show an active
and joyful afterlife. Figures of musicians, generals
on horseback, even skeletal brides, in their white
bridal gowns marching down the aisles with their
boney grooms.

15. Tradiciones: Mascaras y Maquillaje
It is typical to see many people dress up as
skeletons and paint their face/wear a mask to
look like a skull. This is another way of
embracing the idea of death.

17. If you finished…
Come get a skull design to color in as we wait.