Día de Los Muertos

Noviembre 1 y 2

•The Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos, Día de los Difuntos or Día de Muertos in Spanish) is an ancient Aztec celebration of the memory of deceased ancestors that is celebrated on November 1 (All Saints Day) and November 2 (All Souls' Day)

People celebrate this holiday in their households, as well as in the cemeteries. In their homes, between Oct. 31st and Nov. 2nd (a time called "Todos Santos"), offerings of food and drink are prepared for the dead.

On Nov. 2nd, family members visit the gravesites of their loved ones.

"Ofrendas" (offerings) are often set up in the home on an altar displaying portraits, personal goods, clothing, favorite foods, and possessions of the deceased family member.

Sometimes they are shown at the gravesites as well.

The holiday is especially popular in Mexico where it is a national holiday, and is celebrated in the Philippines, in Mexican-American communities in the United States, and to a lesser extent, in other Latin American countries.

It is a public holiday in Brazil, where many Brazilians celebrate it by visiting cemeteries and churches, bringing flowers, lighting candles and praying.

This is an important social ritual that the Latino people see as "a way of recognizing the cycle of life and death that is human existence."

Though the subject matter may be considered morbid from the Anglo Saxon perspective, Mexicans celebrate the Day of the Dead joyfully, and though it occurs at the same time as Halloween, All Saints' Day and All Souls Day,

the traditional mood is much brighter with emphasis on celebrating and honoring the lives of the deceased, rather than fearing evil or malevolent spirits.

In certain areas, an all-night candlelight vigil takes place by the graves of the family members. The whole occasion is festive, and everyone talks of the dead as if they were still alive. During this time, people "remember, re-live, and enjoy."

So, on Octubre 26-27, Señor Grisalez would like you to create an altar to honor someone in your family or a friend who has passed. This can be done with a poster or in a shoebox representing as an altar. Place items in your altar that represent that person.

This project will be done individually

CHECK Uplift website for rubric

A. Today we will begin doing the write up of the personYou want to celebrate.

B. On Monday make sure to bring:

1.Shoebox,2.photographs, obituaries3.something meaningful/symbols4.incense, 5.flowers, 6.Candles7. Art supplies