El Dia de los MuertosEl Dia de los Muertos

Carolyn HetrickCarolyn HetrickAlliant International University EDU6072: Alliant International University EDU6072:

Instructional Technology ApplicationsInstructional Technology Applications

What is El Dia de los What is El Dia de los Muertos?Muertos? Translates to: The Day of the Translates to: The Day of the

DeadDead A holiday celebrated in Mexico A holiday celebrated in Mexico

and by some Latinos in the U.S. and by some Latinos in the U.S. and Canadaand Canada

People gather to celebrate, People gather to celebrate, remember, and pray for their remember, and pray for their loved ones who have diedloved ones who have died

Takes place on November 2ndTakes place on November 2nd There are many traditions for El There are many traditions for El

Dia de los MuertosDia de los Muertos

Families build private altars for the dead, that include:Families build private altars for the dead, that include: Crosses, religious statues or pictures of the Blessed Crosses, religious statues or pictures of the Blessed

Virgin MaryVirgin Mary Pictures of deceased relatives and other family membersPictures of deceased relatives and other family members A A lotlot of candles of candles

Traditionally, families spend some time around the altar, Traditionally, families spend some time around the altar, praying and telling anecdotes about the deceased. praying and telling anecdotes about the deceased.

Private Altars for the Private Altars for the DeadDead

La ofrendaLa ofrenda is an offering to the is an offering to the deceased, presented to deceased, presented to encourage their souls to visitencourage their souls to visit

Some people give their Some people give their ofrendaofrenda at the private altar and others at the private altar and others take the take the ofrenda ofrenda to the to the deceased’s gravesitedeceased’s gravesite

Toys are brought for dead Toys are brought for dead children(children(los angelitoslos angelitos, or "the , or "the little angels")little angels")

For adults, the For adults, the ofrendaofrenda usually usually includes bottles includes bottles of tequila, mezcal or pulque or of tequila, mezcal or pulque or jars of atole. jars of atole.

Families will also include Families will also include trinkets or the deceased's trinkets or the deceased's favorite candies on the grave. favorite candies on the grave. 

La Ofrenda (The Offering)La Ofrenda (The Offering)

CalaverasCalaveras are short, funny poems that people write to gently make are short, funny poems that people write to gently make fun of the dead. They can also include funny stories or descriptions of fun of the dead. They can also include funny stories or descriptions of the person.the person.

Drinking, laughing, and sharing stories is a big part of the holiday. Drinking, laughing, and sharing stories is a big part of the holiday. The attitude is often one of celebrating someone’s life rather than The attitude is often one of celebrating someone’s life rather than mourning their death.mourning their death.

Humorous ElementsHumorous Elements

A common symbol for A common symbol for the holiday is the skull, the holiday is the skull, which celebrants which celebrants represent in represent in  masks, called masks, called

calacascalacas, and , and foods, such as sugar foods, such as sugar

or chocolate skulls, or chocolate skulls, which are inscribed which are inscribed with the name of the with the name of the recipient on the recipient on the forehead. forehead.

Sugar skulls are gifts Sugar skulls are gifts that can be given to both that can be given to both the living and the dead. the living and the dead.

The Significance of the SkullThe Significance of the Skull

Orange marigolds, called "cempasúchitl” (from the Nahuatl Orange marigolds, called "cempasúchitl” (from the Nahuatl for “twenty flowers”), are an important part of the holiday.for “twenty flowers”), are an important part of the holiday.

In modern Mexico, this name is sometimes replaced with In modern Mexico, this name is sometimes replaced with the term "Flor de Muerto" ("Flower of the Dead").the term "Flor de Muerto" ("Flower of the Dead").

These flowers are thought to attract the souls of the dead to These flowers are thought to attract the souls of the dead to las ofrendaslas ofrendas..

The MarigoldsThe Marigolds

The Day of the Dead celebrations in The Day of the Dead celebrations in Mexico can be traced back to indigenous Mexico can be traced back to indigenous civilizations as far back as 2500-3000 civilizations as far back as 2500-3000 years ago.years ago.

In the pre-Hispanic era, it was common In the pre-Hispanic era, it was common to keep skulls as trophies and display to keep skulls as trophies and display them during the rituals to symbolize them during the rituals to symbolize death and rebirth.death and rebirth.

The festival that became the modern Day The festival that became the modern Day of the Dead was celebrated for a month of the Dead was celebrated for a month and dedicated to the Aztec and dedicated to the Aztec goddess Mictecacihuatl, known as the goddess Mictecacihuatl, known as the "Lady of the Dead." "Lady of the Dead."

Origins of El Dia de los Origins of El Dia de los MuertosMuertos

ConclusionConclusion El Dia de los Muertos celebrations can vary El Dia de los Muertos celebrations can vary

widely, especially in Mexico. Uniquely local widely, especially in Mexico. Uniquely local customs are very common.customs are very common.

The holiday is considered an important and The holiday is considered an important and prominent part of Mexican culture.prominent part of Mexican culture.