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The Day of the Dead or Dia de Los Muertos is a holiday that was first celebrated in Mexico during the time of the Aztecs. The holiday marks a symbolic communion with dead family members, and enables participants to honor their ancestors and what their lives meant, and still mean, to the living. The festivities involve food and decorations and occur from October 31st - November 2nd in countries throughout the world.
Dia de Los Muertos historical origins go back to the Aztecs, Maya, Olmec, and other indigenous Mez-American cultures. The ancient festival was dedicated to the goddess, Mictecacihaulti, Queen of the underworld and protector of the bones of the dead. Similar holidays are celebrated in other parts of the world. Dia de Finados is a national holiday in Brazil; people file in a procession from churches, walking in prayer and holding lighted candles as they proceed to cemeteries. Catholics celebrate All Saint's Day or All Hallows on November 1st . This is done in recognition of those deceased individuals who have attained a special status for miraculous deeds performed on Earth. November 2nd is All Souls Day for departed family and friends who have not attained sainthood.
People celebrating the Day of the Dead, and comparable festivals held throughout the world, believe it is easier for the souls of the departed to visit on those days. By building altars, and providing food and drink, it is hoped that the souls will come to visit and hear the prayers of the living. During the two-day-period, families clean the graves and decorate headstones with offerings. While the celebrations can be jovial and light hearted, it is still important to maintain respect. If visiting in countries or cities observing the holiday, tourists should preserve a measure of distance to allow for privacy to those conducting their spiritual rites.
There are some key Day of the Dead vocabulary and symbols used in conjunction with the festival. Understanding the words and meanings can help to enrich the experience of a celebration at home or abroad. Water is used to quench the thirst of the dead. Candles light a path for the dead and are signs of freedom and hope. Flowers are used in abundance, frequently orange marigolds, signs of love and friendship. Dogs are loyal companions, helping the dead across the waters of the underworld. Mats (petate) are placed at the foot of altars. Petate were used to roll up the dead for cremation in ancient times. A list of vocabulary words and books for children can be found at the Museum of Folk Art.
Dia de Los Muertos art is expressed in colorful and lavish images and sculptures. The hairless dog, skulls and skeletons are all imagery seen during the holiday. The Day of the Dead Folk Art gallery has beautiful depictions of vibrant art. Skulls are used as masks. Skeletons are often dressed in costumes, flowing dresses for women, and crisp black suits for men. José Guadalupe Posada is the artist who painted "La Calavera de la Catrina". His caricature of a Mexican upper class female has become linked with the holiday. Catrina figures are a prolific fixture of the festival. Day of the Dead lesson plan, Celebrating the Day of the Dead, has children conducting their own artistic renderings of the holiday, using the traditional symbols of Dia de Los Muertos art.
Food is a plentiful fixture of the festival. A sumptuous banquet is prepared on behalf of the dead. Chocolate skulls are inscribed with the deceased's name. A sweet, egg bread is made into various forms of skulls, rabbits, or plain loaves. A white frosting of twisty bones is decorated on top of the bread. Day of the Dead recipes details how to make sugar skulls and prepare key traditional dishes. What follows are some lesson plans that can help students learn about and appreciate the Day of the Dead.
Day of the Dead Lesson Plans:
Day of the Dead: Letter to a Deceased Pet has children writing and presenting a picture of their dead pet. Students are encouraged to read out loud and ask questions about the animal in English or Spanish. A sample bread recipe is included in the lesson.
Calaveras Puppets has children making skeleton puppets for the festival. They listen to the Mexican story, "Sister Death and the Healer". Tracing and connecting the skeletal form on poster board, students create a moveable puppet.
The Heart of Human Experience: Culture of Azteca explores Aztec civilization. Children will make a calendar, read maps, and learn about Aztec food and much more in this overview.
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