2. This special holiday celebrated throughout Mexico and
Central America dates back to the Aztecs. It is a time
when the souls of the departed return to earth for a
visit and from October 31 to November 2 families join
together in remembrance of their loved ones.
Lasky, Kathryn, Days of the Dead, Hyperion Books for Children, 1994.

3. Families visit graveyards, clean & repaint the graves of
their loved ones, bring offerings, light candles, & share
the family news of the past year during the night vigil.
Lasky, Kathryn, Days of the Dead, Hyperion Books for Children, 1994.

4. Families also construct altars
(ofrendas) in their homes to honor
their deceased loved ones.

6. Flowers, especially marigolds
decorate the ofrendas. The
marigold (zempasuchil) has a
brilliant yellow-orange color
and is considered the symbolic
flower of death to the Aztecs.
Perhaps because once the
marigold is cut, it dies very
quickly.
The petals of the flowers are
also scattered along paths
from the graves to the altars
so the dead souls can find
their way home.

7. Candles, besides their religious symbolism, are
placed on the ofrenda to light and guide the way of
the souls to the altar. Copal incense is also burned to
help the souls find their way home.

8. Typical foods found on Day of the Dead altars are
chocolate, fruit, favorite foods of the deceased,
mole (a thick sauce made from chilies), tamales,
atole (an ancient drink made from cornmeal &
water), water (for the thirsty souls after their long
journey), and traditional liquors.

9. Tamales consist of corn masa
filled with shredded meat,
vegetables or fruit, then
wrapped with corn husks and
steamed or baked.
Many consider Mole to be the
national dish of Mexico. It
features a unique blend of
flavors and spices including
chile powder, nuts, and believe
it or not, chocolate!

10. Pan de muertos (bread of the dead) is a traditional food
served on the Day of the Dead. The sweet loaves are
decorated with crossed bones and sprinkled with sugar.

11. Papel Picado is the traditional Mexican
art of cut paper. Artists use a hammer
and chisel to “punch” designs out of
stacks of colored tissue paper--up to
50 layers thick. Designs can portray
people, animals, flowers, lettering, and
lattice-work. Many papel picado are
made especially for the Day of the
Dead. The papel picado made for this
festival include skeletal figures
engaging in everyday activities of the
living. Individual banners are strung
together to create festive and
colorful decorations for the
celebration.
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Acropolis/1506/papic.html

12. Alfiñique Sugar Skulls are a traditional folk art from
Central and Southern Mexico used to celebrate the Day of
the Dead. Sugar skulls are purchased from vendors in the
special markets set up before the holiday in the plazas of
Mexican villages. The people of Mexico use the sugar skulls
to decorate their home altars. Often the name of the
deceased is written in colored icing on the skull.

13. The skulls are made out of a sugar-almond paste that is
made with refined sugar, egg whites, and lime juice. The
paste is pressed into molds similar to the process of
molding clay. The skulls are then decorated with pastel
icing and foil decorations. These skulls are also treats
for children during this festival.
http://www.casabonampak.com/day.html
http://www.mexonline.com/OAXACA/muertos2.htm

14. http://www.azcentral.com/rep/dead/photos/pc1.html
Hoyt-Goldsmith, Diane, Day of the Dead A Mexican-American Celebration,
Holiday House, NY, 1994.

15. http://www.acabtu.com.mx/diademuertos/hollowsday/thealtar.html
Lasky, Kathryn, Days of the Dead, Hyperion Books for Children, 1994.
http://www.entropia.com.mx/~jmgil/img/muertitos2.jpg

17. http://www.csumb.edu/events/dead/altar.html
http://www.elpayaso.com/gwater.htm

18. Whimsical skeleton toys are also popular during this
festival. These “calaveras” are made to remind us to
take life in a jovial manner because death is
inevitable and we are all mortal.

19. Toys include skeletons with movable legs
and coffins with skulls which pop out when
one opens them or pulls a string.

20. Also popular are beaded necklaces, each bead of
which is a clay skull.

21. Parades and
festivities greet
the dead during
this festival.
Paraders often
wear skeleton
costumes or black
robes with skull
masks.
Lasky, Kathryn, Days of the Dead, Hyperion Books for Children, 1994.

22. The Day of the Dead is not a sad time, but rather it is
a time to celebrate life and to remember, and even
mock death. The presence of deceased loved ones is
thought of as a blessing and brings joy rather than pain
to their families. The loved ones have come back for an
annual visit, and everyone celebrates.
Hoyt-Goldsmith, Diane, Day of the Dead A Mexican-American Celebration, Holiday House, NY, 1994.

23. José Guadalupe Posada (1852-1913) was a Mexican artist, folk
illustrator, and political cartoonist. He produced wonderful
illustrations depicting death in the everyday life of Mexican
people. His satirical and humorous vision of death has been a
source of artistic inspiration for Mexican artists and his art has
become almost synonymous with the Day of the Dead.

25. La Calavera Catrina (the skeleton of the fashionable lady)
is the creation of José Guadalupe Posada. Originally he
created La Catrina to illustrate the popular song "La
cucaracha". Later he used this image to parody
overdressed Mexican ladies, that at the time, had an
obsession for everything French. Today Catrina is a famed
Day of the Dead icon and has been depicted by many
artists since she was created by Posada in the late 1800s.

26. When the holiday is over and the spirits have
departed, the families are happy and at peace,
knowing they have made the souls of the dead feel
loved and remembered.
Lasky, Kathryn, Days of the Dead, Hyperion Books for Children, 1994.

27. We celebrated el Día de los Muertos
in many ways in the classroom.

28. 5th graders made skull mobiles.
We hung them in the classroom.

29. The 6th graders worked very
hard making decorations for a
typical altar in honor of
deceased loved ones.

31. It was decorated
with candles,
incense, flowers,
sugar skulls, fruit,
Bread of the Dead
& favorite items of
the deceased.

33. We had a
party
to celebrate
this special
festival. For
treats we had
pan de
muertos, corn
muffins,
Mexican rice,
& quesadillas.
¡Delicoso!

35. The 7th graders
decorated sugar
skulls to place on
the altar.

36. Of course,
the 7th
graders
also had a
little party
to
celebrate!!

37. The 8th grade students visited the
1st graders & talked to them about
the Day of the Dead. The 1st
graders learned about this festival
in their classroom & in Art class.
Together the students made &
decorated dancing skeletons.

40. The students in the AfterSchool Spanish class also
celebrated the Day of the
Dead. They read stories,
made skull puppets, and made
potato skull prints.