1. November 1-2

2.  The Day of the Dead traditions started 3,000 years ago with the Aztecs, who lived in ancient Mexico.  The Aztecs spent 4 months of each year honoring their dead ancestors with rituals and ceremonies.  In the 16 th century, the Spaniards (and the Catholic Church) tried to change these pagan ceremonies into a Christian tradition.

3.  The Aztecs decided to accept the changes instead of losing their traditions all together.  Today, Catholics celebrate All Saints Day on Nov. 1 and All Souls Day on Nov. 2.  Hispanic people celebrate Día de los Muertos on Nov. 1-2, coinciding with these Catholic holy days.  Día de los Muertos is commemorated by prayer, food, dancing and cleaning and decorating of graves.

4.  Hispanic people welcome back the souls of their loved ones.  They create “Ofrendas” or altars filled with their loved ones’ favorite things. (Like Memorials)  On this holiday, their lives are celebrated, not mourned.  Many Day of the Dead participants believe that a person can die three deaths: 1 when their body dies, 1 when they’re buried and the final one if and when they are forgotten.

5. Candles & Incense – to lead them home Photos – Photo of loved one Food– favorite food to help nourish them on their journey Drink – Favorite Drinks Toiletries – To help them get cleaned up from their journey Marigolds – The official flower of Day of the Dead Decorations – Skulls and Skeletons are typical of Day of the Dead Papel Picado - Decorative paper cutouts are very popular Favorite Pasttimes – Anything to symbolize what was important to them A typical Ofrenda in honor of a deceased loved one.

6. Large ofrendas and celebrations are common in cemeteries.

7. Ofrendas can also be created for famous people out of devotion. This one is for Mexican artist Frida Kahlo.

8. Create your own Ofrenda drawing for a loved one who has died. (Can do a famous person if you don’t have anyone you know who has died) Make sure to include all the important elements of an Ofrenda and explain why they’re included. Your will need a colored ofrenda picture with a 5-10 sentence paragraph explaining why you included what you did.