Español I - Sr. Johnston

miércoles, el treinta y uno de octubre del 2012La noche de brujas!

¿Un, una, unos o unas?Pick the correct indefinite article (can be more than one choice).

• p. 15, act. 1 ¿Singular or plural? If the word is singular, make it plural. If it is plural, make it singular.

• p. 15, act. 2 Identificar For each drawing, provide the noun with its corresponding definite and indefinite articles.

1.1-3

¿Qué es?• What is it?

– Los Dias de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead, is a traditional Mexico holiday honoring the dead. Los Dias de los Muertos is not a sad time, but instead a time of remembering and rejoicing.

• When is it?– It is celebrated every year at the same time as Halloween and the

Christian holy days of All Saints Day and All Souls Day (November 1st and 2nd).

• Where is it celebrated?– It is celebrated in Mexico, Ecuador, Guatemala, and other areas in

Central and South America populated with the Latino ethnic background. The Day of the Dead is also celebrated in areas of the United States, such as California, Texas, and many others, in which the Mexican/American heritage exists.

Traditions: Ofrendas• In the homes families arrange

ofrenda's with flowers, bread, fruit and candy. Pictures of the deceased family members are added. In the late afternoon special all night burning candles are lit - it is time to remember the departed - the old ones, their parents and grandparents.

• Ofrendas should include:– A picture of the one being

remembered – Items they were fond of – Something to snack on – Candles – Flowers – Gifts– Poems or messages

Traditions: Comida

• Pan de los Muertos– Special loaves of bread are baked, called pan de muertos,

and decorated with "bones.

Traditions: Flores• During los Dias de los Muertos the yellow marigold

symbolizes the short duration of life. • Other flowers commonly seen during this celebration

include the white amaryllis, wild orchids, baby's breath and ruby coxcombs are offered as adornment and enticement for the returning spirits.

• Wreaths made of flowers, both real and plastic, are often placed on the grave sites.

Traditions: Papel Picado

• Papel Picado is a traditional art used to decorate homes, businesses, markets and altars in preparation for the Day of the Dead.

• The thin tissue paper images are usually cut in large quantities and hung in repetitious patterns.

Traditions: Calaveras• Skeletons and skulls are found everywhere.

Chocolate skulls, marzipan coffins, and white chocolate skeletons.

• Handmade skeleton figurines, called calacas, are especially popular. Calacas usually show an active and joyful afterlife. Figures of musicians, generals on horseback, even skeletal brides, in their white bridal gowns marching down the aisles with their boney grooms.

• El Dia de los Muertos is not the Mexican version of Halloween. Mexicans have celebrated the Day of the Dead since the year 1800 B.C.

• It is not scary or morbid. There are no pictures or images of dead people, ghosts, witches, or the devil.

• The Day of the Dead is not a cult. This ritual has nothing to do with cults. It is a Catholic Christian ritual intermixed with folk culture. Going to mass is an essential aspect of this celebration.

• It doesn’t honor death, but our dead relatives. We welcome the opportunity to reflect upon our lives, our heritage, our ancestors and the meaning and purpose of our own existence.

• Altars or ofrendas are not for worshiping but for offering our love and remembering our departed family members.

• It is not a sad ritual. It’s a day of happiness because we will be remembering our loved ones. Although when in the graveyard, people assume an introspective attitude.

• The Day of the Dead is about Love not Fear.• It is not a “strange” ritual. It is very similar to going

to a grave and leaving flowers or stuffed animals, lighting a candle to remember the deceased.

• It is not a careless or fearless confrontation of death. It is a moment to reflect upon one’s life and the cycle of life and death.

Let’s celebrate our loved ones

• We will make our own ofrendas to pay respect and celebrate loved ones we have lost.

• Start by picking someone to honor (relative, friend, celebrity, even a made-up figure).

• Complete the Outline.• Brainstorm together – what different elements do

we need to bring together to have our ofrendas ready by Friday?