El Dia de los Muertos Carolyn Hetrick Alliant International University EDU6072: Instructional Technology Applications

What is El Dia de los Muertos?  Translates to: The Day of the Dead  A holiday celebrated in Mexico and by some Latinos in the U.S. and Canada  People gather to celebrate, remember, and pray for their loved ones who have died  Takes place on November 2nd  There are many traditions for El Dia de los Muertos

 Families build private altars for the dead, that include:  Crosses, religious statues or pictures of the Blessed Virgin Mary  Pictures of deceased relatives and other family members  A lot of candles  Traditionally, families spend some time around the altar, praying and telling anecdotes about the deceased. Private Altars for the Dead

 La ofrenda is an offering to the deceased, presented to encourage their souls to visit  Some people give their ofrenda at the private altar and others take the ofrenda to the deceased’s gravesite  Toys are brought for dead children(los angelitos, or "the little angels")  For adults, the ofrenda usually includes bottles of tequila, mezcal or pulque or jars of atole.  Families will also include trinkets or the deceased's favorite candies on the grave.  Families will also include trinkets or the deceased's favorite candies on the grave. La Ofrenda (The Offering)

 Calaveras are short, funny poems that people write to gently make fun of the dead. They can also include funny stories or descriptions of the person.  Drinking, laughing, and sharing stories is a big part of the holiday. The attitude is often one of celebrating someone’s life rather than mourning their death. Humorous Elements

 A common symbol for the holiday is the skull, which celebrants represent in  A common symbol for the holiday is the skull, which celebrants represent in  masks, called calacas, and  foods, such as sugar or chocolate skulls, which are inscribed with the name of the recipient on the forehead.  Sugar skulls are gifts that can be given to both the living and the dead. The Significance of the Skull

 Orange marigolds, called "cempasúchitl” (from the Nahuatl for “twenty flowers”), are an important part of the holiday.  In modern Mexico, this name is sometimes replaced with the term "Flor de Muerto" ("Flower of the Dead").  These flowers are thought to attract the souls of the dead to las ofrendas. The Marigolds

 The Day of the Dead celebrations in Mexico can be traced back to indigenous civilizations as far back as years ago.  In the pre-Hispanic era, it was common to keep skulls as trophies and display them during the rituals to symbolize death and rebirth.  The festival that became the modern Day of the Dead was celebrated for a month and dedicated to the Aztec goddess Mictecacihuatl, known as the "Lady of the Dead." Origins of El Dia de los Muertos

Conclusion  El Dia de los Muertos celebrations can vary widely, especially in Mexico. Uniquely local customs are very common.  The holiday is considered an important and prominent part of Mexican culture.