D

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Día de los Muertos
Spanish I
Señora Hoffman-Fields
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Facts about the Day of the Dead

• What is it?
• Los Dias de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead, is
  a traditional Mexico holiday honoring the dead.
  Los Dias de los Muertos is not a sad time, but
  instead a time of remembering and rejoicing.
• When is it?
• It is celebrated every year at the same time as
  Halloween and the Christian holy days of All
  Saints Day and All Souls Day (November 1st and
  2nd).
• Where is it celebrated?
• It is celebrated in Mexico, Ecuador, Guatemala,
  and other areas in Central and South America
  populated with the Latino ethnic background. The
  Day of the Dead is also celebrated in areas of
  the United States, such as California, Texas, and
  many others, in which the Mexican/American
  heritage exists.

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Traditions- Altars

• In the homes families arrange ofrendas or
  "altars" with flowers, bread, fruit and candy.
  Pictures of the deceased family members are
  added. In the late afternoon special all night
  burning candles are lit - it is time to remember
  the departed - the old ones, their parents and
  grandparents.
• Altars should include
• A picture of the one being  remembered
• Items they were fond of
• Something to snack on
• Candles
• Flowers
• Gifts

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Traditions Food

• Pan de los Muertos
• Special loaves of bread are baked, called pan de
  muertos, and decorated with "bones.

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Traditions Flowers

• During los Dias de los Muertos the yellow
  marigold symbolizes the short duration of life.
• Other flowers commonly seen during this
  celebration include the white amaryllis, wild
  orchids, baby's breath and ruby coxcombs are
  offered as adornment and enticement for the
  returning spirits.
• Wreaths made of flowers, both real and plastic,
  are often placed on the grave sites.

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Traditions Papel Picado

• Papel Picado is a traditional art used to
  decorate homes, businesses, markets and altars in
  preparation for the Day of the Dead.
• The thin tissue paper images are usually cut in
  large quantities and hung in repetitious
  patterns.

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Traditions Skeletons

• Skeletons and skulls are found everywhere.
  Chocolate skulls, marzipan coffins, and white
  chocolate skeletons.
• Handmade skeleton figurines, called calacas, are
  especially popular. Calacas usually show an
  active and joyful afterlife. Figures of
  musicians, generals on horseback, even skeletal
  brides, in their white bridal gowns marching down
  the aisles with their boney grooms.

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Links

• Día de los Muertos For Teachers and Students
• http//www.azcentral.com/ent/dead/teachers/
• Common misconceptions about the Day of the Dead
• http//www.inside-mexico.com/noes.htm
• History, Traditions, and Significance
• http//www.nacnet.org/assunta/dead.htm