| Laughing
Skulls and Dancing Skeletons
Celebrating
the Days of the Dead
As Americans prepare for Halloween at the end of October, the people
of Mexico turn their attention to the traditions surrounding the
Days of the Dead, or Los Días de los Muertos, when
it is believed that the souls of the departed will return to earth
for one night to visit their loved ones. While some people call
this festival time “Day of the Dead,” the plural form
better describes the holiday as it spans several days.
The preparations surrounding the celebration of the Days of the
Dead involve cooking special foods and sweets such as the spicy
chocolate and chile sauce called mole and the slightly
sweet pan de muerto or bread of the dead that is shaped
like skulls or bones and decorated with colored sugar. The most
common image of the Days of the Dead is the skull or calavera.
Sugar skulls, decorated with brightly colored icing and bits of
colored foil, are popular gifts for friends and sweethearts. These
skulls do not “jinx” a person as you might expect, but
are more similar to valentines, symbolizing a relationship that
will last for eternity.
One of the most important aspects of the Days of the Dead for many
families is the creation of a memorial altar for the departed, known
as an ofrenda. The scent of the marigold or cempasúchil
is believed to help the souls find their way home, so the altars
are lavishly decorated with these flowers, as well as fruits, sugar
skulls, pan de muerto, and cut paper banners called papel
picado. Photos of the deceased are placed on the altars along
with items that they enjoyed in life.
The highlight of the Days of the Dead celebration is the cemetery
vigil. The people of Mexico gather at the cemeteries to clean and
repaint the grave markers and tombs, and decorate them with fresh
flowers. In the evening, families light candles around the graves
and burn copal, a strong incense that is also believed
to help lead the souls home. Family members make a special feast
of loved ones’ favorite foods such as tamales and
mole, which they bring to the cemetery and enjoy in the
company of their family and friends. The vigil lasts through the
night, and even the children are allowed to stay in the cemetery
until daybreak.
Tune-up
Your Mind
Look for these books and related materials:
The Festival of Bones/El Festival de Calaveras
(bilingual)
by Luis San Vicente
A Gift for Abuelita/Un regalo para Abuelita
(bilingual)
by Nancy Luenn and Robert Chapman
Day of the Dead
by Tony Johnson and Jeanette Winter
The Days of the Dead: Mexico’s Festival of Communion
with the Departed
by John Greenleigh and Rosalind Rosoff Beimier
Flickering Lights: Days of the Dead (video)
published by CRIZMAC
Magic Windows and Making Magic Windows
by Carmen Lomas Garza
Mexican Papercutting
by Kathleen Trenchard
The Skeleton at the Feast: The Day of the Dead in Mexico
by Elizabeth Carmichael and Chloe Sayer
Fun
for the Family
Days
of the Dead Celebrations in Tucson
Tucson Children’s Museum
200 S. 6th Avenue 792-9985
www.tucsonchildrensmuseum.org
Offers an exhibit of traditional Days of the Dead
folk art, including papier mâché calacas or
skeleton figurines, decorative altars, and miniature dioramas of
calacas in everyday settings. Exhibit runs from November
1-20.
Children can explore Día de los Muertos traditions
on Saturday, November 5 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. with workshops on
sugar skull decorating and paper flower making along with bilingual
interactive presentations featuring traditional song-games known
as rondas. There will be free admission to the Museum on
this day.
All Souls Day Procession
www.allsoulsprocession.org
One of Tucson’s biggest bashes, the All Souls
Day Procession is scheduled for Sunday, November 6th beginning at
5:00 p.m. from Epic Café. Held in conjunction with the Days
of the Dead, the event grew out of artist Susan Johnson’s
desire to honor her deceased father, and now includes Tucson’s
artist community, Tucson Puppet Works, and Flam Chen. Thousands
of people, some in elaborate costumes, gather to process along the
downtown route. Some put together floats or carry photos or other
memorials of loved ones as they walk.
La Pilita Museum
429 S. Main Avenue 882-7454
Features an exhibit, “Day of the Dead/Día
de los Muertos,” with sugar skulls, papel picado, recuerdos
and a community altar by a group of fourth-grade students from Carrillo
Magnet School.
October 25 - November 5, 2005
Hours:
11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Monday-Friday
10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.. Saturday, October 29
For
the Mouse-bound
www.tucsonzoo.org
www.enchantedlearning.com (then click on the “birds”
link)
www.rainforesteducation.com
www.ecokidsonline.com (then search for Animal Adaptations game)
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