SP 107 – Mr. González Ocaña NOMBRE:
WEB SEARCH: EL DIA DE LOS MUERTOS
1. ¿Dónde? Where is celebrated?
a. It’s celebrated mainly in Mexico.
b Also in some parts of the United States where Mexican presence is important (South of Arizona, Texas, California).
c. And in some Central-America countries (Guatemala, etc.).
d. It’s not observed in Spain, where catholic traditional celebrations are observed.
2. ¿Cuándo? When is celebrated?
It starts October 31st at night, and goes on until November the 2nd.
3. Orígenes: Historia. Why is celebrated? Historic origines.
a. There was a ritual (that seemed to mock death) the indigenous people had been practicing in Mexico at least 3,000 years. Aztecs also had different celebrations to honor the dead. One indigenous belief was that during one day of the year the gates of our world were open for the souls of the dead people to come back and visit their families.
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The natives viewed death as the continuation of life. Instead of fearing death, they embraced it. To them, life was a dream and only in death did they become truly awake. |
b. The ritual has since been merged with Catholic theology: After the introduction of Catholicism by the Spaniards, those beliefs were mixed up with the Christian celebrations of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day (November 1st and 2nd).
4. ¿Cómo? How do Mexicans celebrate El día de los muertos?
a. People do wooden skull masks called calacas and dance in honor of their deceased relatives.
b. They visit the graves of their ancestors, cleaning up and decorating the tombs.
c. Desfiles (parades)
d. The wooden skulls are also placed on altars that are dedicated to the dead.
e. The altars are a major feature in this festivity. They are established either in the houses or in the graves. They are decorated with:
-flores (flowers)
-velas (candles)
-frutas (fruits)
-fotos (pictures of the ancestors).
People also bring to the graves their ancestors favorite objects, food and drinks.
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In rural Mexico, people visit the cemetery where their loved ones are buried. They decorate gravesites with marigold flowers and candles. They bring toys for dead children and bottles of tequila to adults. They sit on picnic blankets next to gravesites and eat the favorite food of their loved ones. |
-Is there any special food or drink for that day?
a. Sugar skulls, made with the names of the dead person on the forehead, are eaten by a relative or friend.
b. Pan de los Muertos.
c. Traditional food: tamales, tacos, enchiladas, etc.
d. “Mole” sauce (a thick sauce made from a variety of ingredients including chilis, sesame seeds, herbs, spices, chocolate/fruit).
e. Horchata
5. Vocabulario. Precise the meaning of the following words, and paste either a picture or an illustration of the word.
a.-Alfeñique: Colorful iced sugar (or fruits) skulls à
b.-Altar: The offering that family and/or friends prepare for their dead loved ones
c.-Angelitos: Souls of children who have died
d.-Calacas: skeleton figures that represent death
e.-Calavera: wooden skull masks à
f.-Esqueleto: skeleton
à
g.-Ofrenda: Offerings to honor the dead; they are put in the altars
h.-Pan de los muertos: Bread of the dead
i-Papel picado: the art of Mexican paper cutting à colorful tissue paper with intricate, festive designs cut out.
