The Day of the Dead

 

The Day of the Dead is a Mexican tradition that is celebrated every year on November 1st and 2nd.  The people put up altars in their homes to remember their relatives who have died.  They put food, drinks, toys, and other objects on the altar to share with their relatives. (Slide 4)

 

In late October, families go to the graveyard to clean and decorate the tombs of their loved ones. The families gather in the cemetery on the nights of November 1st and 2nd to be with their deceased, sharing food, drink, and companionship. (Slides 2 and 3)

 

Food- Special sweet loaves called “panes de muerto” are prepared for this day to please the living (and the dead).  They represent the “animas” or “souls” of the departed.  They are oval or round, and have raised skulls and crossbones or simple knobs that represents skulls.  Others take on the shape or human figures and decorated with colored glazes or colored sesame seeds. (Slide 13)

 

Skeletons – Mexico’s most prolific lithographer, Jose Guadalupe Posada, replaced the more straightforward, pre-conquest images of skeletons and skulls with his stylized “calaca” images that showed human skeletons in every conceivable activity.  To make the point that even the rich and powerful must come to terms with the inevitability of death, Posada created and personified the elegant Victorian lady, “Calavera Catrina”, and the mustachioed “Calavera Zapatista.” (Slide 7)

 

Papel picado – Perforated tissue paper that is made with scissors, stamps, and other tools.  Up to 24 sheets can be cut at one time, creating delicate, lace-like patterns and images of skeletons such as the ones popularized by Jose Guadalupe Posada.  (Slide 9)

 

The ELD 1, 2, and 3 classes have put up an altar dedicated to famous Mexican painters and muralists.  On November 4, 5, 6, and 7, they are going to present information about Day of the Dead to Spanish 1 classes at CHS.  The altar is in Study Room 3 of the library.  Come by and see it anytime the library is open!

 

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