El día de los muertos “Life is but a dream. It is only when we die, that we can truly live.”

La muerte = death “The word ‘death’ is not pronounced in New York, in Paris, in London, because it burns the lips. The Mexican, in contrast, is familiar with death, jokes about it, caresses it; it is one of his favorite toys and most steadfast love. -Octavio Paz “ Una sociedad que niega la muerte, niega la vida “ (“A society that denies death, denies life”)

La historia “Don’t’ fear dying. Fear never having lived.” -Anonymous 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 Mexican holiday is to say that it is a time when Mexican families remember their dead, and the continuity of life.

La creencia = the belief It is believed that during the days of November 1st and 2nd, spirits have been granted Divine consent to visit with their relatives and friends on Earth. • Beginning in mid-October, families prepare to welcome the souls of their relatives and ancestors who return at this time of year to make sure that all is well and that they have not been forgotten. • Celebrations at home include family dinners, trips to the grave sites, “ofrendas” (or offerings), flowers, folk art, special foods, and candies.

Halloween vs. 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 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.

Las Calacas • Skeletons are often shown in everyday activities which depict a dead person’s profession or interests.

Calacas 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.

Calacas

La Catrina • Represents death (now) • Was created by Jose Guadelupe Posada • Notice: feminine form & beautiful decorations

Catrina Catrina 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 Posada

Mas Calacas

Las ofrendas • Think: Memorials 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 o Altares

En el cementerio

Mole -meat dishes in spicy sauces La comida Pan de los Muertos Special loaves of bread are baked, called pan de muertos, and decorated with "bones. Mole -meat dishes in spicy sauces

Mas comida Tamales -packets of corn dough with a savory or sweet filling and typically wrapped in corn husks or banana leaves.  Atole de leche -A warm almost porridge-like drink made thick with masa.

Los Alfeñiques = Sugar Skulls •CANDIES: •Skulls and skeletons are made out of candy. •Names: living or dead

El arte folklórico = Folk Art • Common activities and events represented with “skeletal” images • Albrijes = imaginary creatures

Muralismo- (muralism) A mural is a painting applied to and made integral with the surface of a wall or ceiling. Muralism has existed since prehistoric times. Diego Rivera is the most famous Latino Muralist of the 20th century. One of his most famous murals is titled “El dia de los muertos”

El día de los muertos - Diego Rivera

El día de los muertos Celebración y festejo Because of the warm social environment, the colorful setting, and the abundance of food, drink and good company this commemoration of the dead is a pleasant one despite of its morbid subject. The festive interaction between living and dead in an important social ritual and a way of recognizing the cycle of life and death, in other words, human existence.

Una poema más Es calavera el inglés, calavera el italiano, calavera fue el francés, lo mismo Maximiliano. El Pontífice Romano y todos los cardenales, reyes, duques, concejales y 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. Your favorite sport. Make it colorful. Insert an image of your favorite athlete in the sport ON THE HAT. Draw and/or Insert images about your sport on pants of your calaca. Write a paragraph of 10 sentences or more IN SPANISH, stating what your favorite sport is, why you like it, if you prefer to play it or watch it, who your favorite athlete in this sport and why. DUE ON THURSDAY, NOV. 1