1. EL DIA DE LOS MUERTOS El 1 y 2 de noviembre

2. What is Day of the Dead? One of the most important holidays in Mexico Also celebrated in other C.A. & S.A. countries Honors those who have died Believe the souls of the dead return to earth Día de los Angelitos (1 st ) Día de las Almas (2 nd )

3. A Fusion of Cultures Indigenous people (Aztec)European conquerors

4. Aztec beliefs Life is a dream. Death is waking up from the dream Not to be feared Mid-way through their year, they honored their dead with a month-long celebration

5. Spanish missionaries Incorporate indigenous beliefs in order to convert them to Catholicism Changed date to coincide with All Saints Day and All Souls Day Today, many aspects are a mixture of the cultures

6. Typical events for Day of the Dead Lengthy advanced preparations Decorations Altars Family gatherings Cemetery visits

7. Cleaning of graves

8. Buying supplies

9. Decorations--skulls

10. Decoration--skeletons

11. La Catrina

12. Building altars (ofrendas)

13. Altars often have multiple levels

14. Typical ofrendas have items to appeal to the senses

15. 4 elements represented--earth

16. 4 elements--fire

17. 4 elements--water

18. 4 elements—air/ wind

19. Items specific to those honored Portrait Favorite foods & beverages Items dear to them on earth Representative of their hobbies/ passions

20. Family gatherings Cooking Meal Prayers for loved one Tell funny stories about or lessons learned from the deceased Silence to feel the presence of the soul Trip to cemetery

21. Cemetery Visits

22. Cemeteries at night

23. Joyous and spiritual day