2. a Mexican holiday that is celebrated October 31- November 2 it honors family and friends that have died focuses on life and celebration through food, music, and gathering culturally death is not to be feared; it is a part of life a continuation of life, a dream, in death they would become truly awake

3. Spanish conquistadors landed in Mexico 500 yrs ago encountered indigenous people who have been practicing “El Día de Los Muertos” for 3,000 yrs a ritual the Spaniards would try to eradicate

4. to encourage visits by the souls to celebrate the life they had the souls will recognize that they are still loved mixture of ancient Aztec tradition with Christianity - Death was not the end but the beginning of life - Celebration of All Saints Day (Nov. 1) and All Souls Day (Nov. 2)

5. Aztecs honored the sun god dead spirits will get revenge on the living if they get poor treatment during these days each year leaving nothing on the ofrenda causes the spirits to be sad these superstitions inspire many people to participate in this holiday celebration for this very reason

6. October 31 st – November 2 nd November 1 st honors deceased children and infants Los angelitos, having lived too short a time to fall into sin, go straight to heaven November 2 nd honors deceased adults

7. mainly in Mexico in villages more than cities (rural areas) United States, and Central America not celebrated in Spain

8. visit and decorate grave sites with marigolds, pictures, toys, and candles prepare and eat favorite foods of dead loved ones ofrendas are made in homes music

9. island located in the middle of Lake Pátzcuaro everyone as a whole celebrates El Día de Los Muertos it is believed that the island is a doorway to heaven los angelitos

11. la calavera - skull la fiesta -party el pan de muerto - dead bread el copal - incense cempasuchil -marigolds la ofrenda - offerings el esqueleto - skeleton

12. Jordan Chapman Ashley Dillon Danielle Strange Rhonda Dorch Des’Chatelets Hall Kenneth Thomas