día de los muertos (day of the dead )

By: Noah Bjork

DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS(DAY OF THE DEAD )

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

• It is a day where friends and family pray for their lost ones.

• They make special breads, foods, desserts etc. for this day

• People build private altars for their person that died

• In Spanish it called Día de los Muertos• pópele start preperations

WHERE IT CAME FROM

• Day of the dead dates back 0ver 2,500 years

• It was first held for the whole month

• November 1st is the day to honor the children that have died

• And November 2nd is the day to honor the dead

THE CELEBRATION(THE BELIEF)

• People will go to cemitaries to be with the departed souls and basically talk to them

• They will talk about the fun times they had with that person and tell stories

• Some families have picnics by the grave

• Trinkets and toys are given to the children that have died

SPECIAL FOODS

• Candy/sugar skulls are giving along with breads, and the favorite foods or beverages of the dead

• Food is left at the grave and at homes

• They believe that the soul eat the food spiritually

• They also leave blankets and pillows for the desist to rest with because of there “long journey” there

Bread of the dead

Flowers for day of the dead

THE ALTAR

• Incense and candles are lit because it is support to attract good spirits

• Salt is also placed at the altar because it is believed to be a spice for the living

• The center piece is called the oferenda. It is usually a picture of the person that died

• There are also things that reflect the persons personality at the altar

COSTUMES

• The main costume is dressing as a skeleton

• There are paper Mache skulls

• Day of the dead masks are also make

• Faces can also be painted

SKELTON'S

• Skeletons symbolize the spirits of the dead

• The day is similar to Halloween and All Saints Day

• It is basically a combination of the two

• The sugar skull is popular on that day

• Clay skeletons are also made.

A day of the dead altar

A typical costume

Day of the dead is celebrated in the U.S., Canada, central America, Europe and many other places.

Pile of sugar skulls

RECOURSES• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Day_of_the_Dead

• http://www.azcentral.com/ent/dead/altar/