Los Dias De Los Muertos

Warm-Up Name the special holiday celebration that is occurring in Mexico this week. Name the special holiday celebration that is occurring in Mexico this week. Explain what you know about this holiday. Explain what you know about this holiday.

At the end of this lesson you will be able to… Identify where and when Los Dias de Los Muertos occurs Identify where and when Los Dias de Los Muertos occurs Explain the customs and traditions behind the holiday Explain the customs and traditions behind the holiday Compare/Contrast this holiday to Halloween Compare/Contrast this holiday to Halloween

¿Cuàndo es? Los Dias de los Muertos son Los Dias de los Muertos son 31 de octubre a 2 de noviembre 31 de octubre a 2 de noviembre

¿Què es? Los Dias de los Muertos is a time when Hispanic families come to pay tribute to and remember those friends and family members who have died. Los Dias de los Muertos is a time when Hispanic families come to pay tribute to and remember those friends and family members who have died. It is a combination of the Aztec harvest and death rituals and the beliefs of the Spaniards. It is a combination of the Aztec harvest and death rituals and the beliefs of the Spaniards.

¿Què es? The early inhabitants of Mexico believed that when someone died they could return as a spirit once a year. The early inhabitants of Mexico believed that when someone died they could return as a spirit once a year. They believe that the spirits return to Earth on the wings of the Monarch Butterfly (who just so happens migrates south through Mexico this time of year) They believe that the spirits return to Earth on the wings of the Monarch Butterfly (who just so happens migrates south through Mexico this time of year)

¿Què es? The people go to the graveyards during this time to wash and decorate the graves. This helps the spirits find their way. The people go to the graveyards during this time to wash and decorate the graves. This helps the spirits find their way. The people will spend all night at the graves decorating and celebrating. The people will spend all night at the graves decorating and celebrating. Afterwards a trail of marigolds and candles are left to direct the spirit to the house containing the altar. Afterwards a trail of marigolds and candles are left to direct the spirit to the house containing the altar.

¿Què es? An altar is created in each house which celebrates the deceased. An altar is created in each house which celebrates the deceased. On this altar family members have photos of the deceased along with their favorite foods, drinks, and music. On this altar family members have photos of the deceased along with their favorite foods, drinks, and music. The goal is that if the spirit is happy it will stay for the holiday. The goal is that if the spirit is happy it will stay for the holiday. Before the family eats they always allow some time for the spirit to “eat and drink” the meal. Before the family eats they always allow some time for the spirit to “eat and drink” the meal.

Las Fotos

Altars

Altars The altars are suppose to represent the deceased. They usually contain the person’s favorite food, music, drink and possible clothing. Pan de muertos is also usually baked and left at the altar.

Graves The villagers go to the graves and clean them up. Then they decorate them with flowers and pictures. The villagers will remain at the graves all night having celebrations with food and musicians. Afterwards they create a path of marigolds to help the deceased find their way from the graves to the altars.

Marigolds Marigolds are considered to be the flowers of the dead. It is believed that the spirits are attracted to the smell of the marigold. That is why these flowers are used on the graves and the altars.

Otra partes… Although participants dress in costume during this holiday the costumes are not like the ones you might see during Halloween. Although participants dress in costume during this holiday the costumes are not like the ones you might see during Halloween. Most costumes are traditional masks called calaveras in which they resemble skeletons. Most costumes are traditional masks called calaveras in which they resemble skeletons.

During the holiday businesses will decorate their window displays with everyday scenes like weddings, children playing or people cooking a meal. During the holiday businesses will decorate their window displays with everyday scenes like weddings, children playing or people cooking a meal. However all of the characters are skeletons. However all of the characters are skeletons.

Also during this time the children will do something similar to trick or treating. Also during this time the children will do something similar to trick or treating. A group of children will get together and create a makeshift coffin. The one child will lay inside the coffin. A group of children will get together and create a makeshift coffin. The one child will lay inside the coffin. The other children will carry it around the town stopping by the businesses and houses. The other children will carry it around the town stopping by the businesses and houses. People will throw treats into the coffin like candy, flowers, toys and money. People will throw treats into the coffin like candy, flowers, toys and money. Afterwards the children split the goodies. Afterwards the children split the goodies.

Las Fotos

Calaveras

Mascaras

Pan de Muertos

Sugar Skulls Sugar skulls are just that skulls made of sugar and sometimes chocolate. Sugar skulls are just that skulls made of sugar and sometimes chocolate. They are lavishly decorated and placed on the altar. They are lavishly decorated and placed on the altar. However some of the skulls are created for consumption. However some of the skulls are created for consumption. It is seen as good luck for a child to eat a sugar skull that has been decorated with his or her name on it. It is seen as good luck for a child to eat a sugar skull that has been decorated with his or her name on it.

Sugar Skulls

How is Los Dias de Los Muertos different from Halloween?

Halloween is based on a medival European concept of death, and is populated by demons, witches and other images of terror-all of them negative. Halloween is based on a medival European concept of death, and is populated by demons, witches and other images of terror-all of them negative. Los Dias de Los Muertos, in contrast, is distinctly different. It is a uniquely Indo- Hispanic custom that demonstrated a strong sense of love and respect for one’s ancestors. It celebrates the continuance of life, family relationships, and community solidarity- all positive concepts. Los Dias de Los Muertos, in contrast, is distinctly different. It is a uniquely Indo- Hispanic custom that demonstrated a strong sense of love and respect for one’s ancestors. It celebrates the continuance of life, family relationships, and community solidarity- all positive concepts.

Mira Los Dias de Los Muertos

H:\day of the dead\day of the dead.asx H:\day of the dead\day of the dead.asx

Wrap- Up ¿Cuàndo son Los Dias De Los Muertos? ¿Cuàndo son Los Dias De Los Muertos? ¿Què es Los Dias De Los Muertos? ¿Què es Los Dias De Los Muertos? Digame los diferencias acerca de Los Dias De Los Muertos y Halloween. Digame los diferencias acerca de Los Dias De Los Muertos y Halloween.

Day 2

Warm- Up ¿Cuàndo son Los Dias De Los Muertos? ¿Cuàndo son Los Dias De Los Muertos? ¿Què es Los Dias De Los Muertos? ¿Què es Los Dias De Los Muertos? Digame los diferencias acerca de Los Dias De Los Muertos y Halloween. Digame los diferencias acerca de Los Dias De Los Muertos y Halloween.

At the end of this lesson you will be able to… Identify where and when Los Dias de Los Muertos occurs Identify where and when Los Dias de Los Muertos occurs Explain the customs and traditions behind the holiday Explain the customs and traditions behind the holiday Compare/Contrast this holiday to Halloween Compare/Contrast this holiday to Halloween

Las Actividades