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Do Now
Who will you remember on Dia de Los Muertos? What are the offerings you'd add to their altar? Would your altar contain traditional or contemporary elements?
Intro
November 1 is an important day for celebration in Mexican culture: Día de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead). The roots of Día de los Muertos combine both pagan and Christian traditions. The celebration can be traced back to a variety of indigenous ancient festivals, including one dedicated to the Aztec queen of the underworld, Mictecacihuatl. It also coincides with the Catholic All Souls' Day, celebrated on November 2, when family members pray for the souls of the dead that have not yet been granted entrance to heaven.
Central to Day of the Dead is the act of remembrance in which loved ones reenact their most cherished memories of the dead. The holiday is joyful and celebratory, but also offers an occasion for participants to connect with their ancestors and the past. One of the key practices of the holiday is the construction of altars, or ofrendas, dedicated to friends and family members who are being remembered. Altars normally include an assortment of offerings to the dead, such as bread, salt, incense, water, candles, and flowers -- traditionally, Mexican marigolds -- alongside photographs of the deceased. Other offerings include cherished items of clothing and other objects reminiscent of those who have passed away, and brightly decorated skulls made of sugar.
Resource
KQED's This Week in Northern California segment Day of the Dead
Visit the classroom of Amalia Mesa-Bains at the California State University at Monterey Bay as they compile a collective class altar, following the traditions of Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead.
To respond to the Do Now, you can comment below or tweet your response. Be sure to begin your tweet with @KQEDedspace and end it with #KQEDDoNow
For more info on how to use Twitter, click here.
More Resources for Follow-up Lessons
SPARK's Day of the Dead educator guide.
To extend learning, follow-up with activities from SPARK's educator guide.You can also view Amalia Mesa-Bains SPARK page where there's more information in how she uses teaching these traditions.
Dia de Los Muertos — I will remember everyone who fought for me to be where I am today.
I will remember fam for Dia De Los Muertos, n the people who loved. Offering will be love and flowers, they all will be missed.
What I put on my pops altar was a red rose. When i was lil he would give me a red rose an id give him 1. id lik flowers on my alter
i would remember my aunties and i would add flowers to there alters and some food for them.
On that day I remember my past away grandfather. I didn’t really offer much, just traditional foods. I also pray to him
I will remember my great grandmother, I will leave flowers for her.
Dia de Los Muertos. I honor all my past relatives but don’t celebrate on one holiday.
i will remember my great grandmother. I will leave her food and flowers.
On Dia de Los Muertos, I would remember Steve Jobs because he has turned the world around with his inventions. Screw cancer
I will remember my little brother/sister who didn’t even have a chance to see the world.
On Day of the Dead, I will remember my grandparents. Rest in Peace Lola Auring and Lolo Domingo.