Dia de los Muertos: a joyful Mexican celebration.

What is the Dia de los Muertos? Every October, those celebrating the Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, in Mexico begin preparing for the colorful and festive tradition honoring family and friends who have passed away. This tradition, rich in folk art, is rooted in ancient practices of the indigenous people of Latin America blended with Spanish traditions brought to the New World in the early 1500s. Unlike the gruesome and haunting events often associated with Halloween, the centuries-old tradition of Day of the Dead brings families and communities together as they celebrate and honor the deceased. From region to region, the Mexican celebration varies in length from one or two days to as long as a couple of weeks. Typically, November 1 is reserved for the souls of the returning angelitos or children, and November 2 for the return of the adult souls.

What Traditions Can Be Found?

Ofrendas, or altars, created by families display favorite foods and trinkets thought to be appreciated by their deceased ancestors, as well as candles and photographs of the deceased to honor their passing and welcome their souls to the festivities. The construction of the ofrendas varies from region to region throughout Mexico. For example, the residents of Huaquechula, located in the state of Puebla, create polychrome pottery for their ofrendas. In this region, ofrendas are built from a series of graduated boxes covered in white cloth and stacked on the table. In Oaxaca, stalks of sugar cane are tied to the table legs forming an arch over the ofrenda. Miniature skeletons made of clay, wood, and papier-mache representing a profession or a life-like activity might be displayed as a remembrance of loved ones' favorite activities. Calaveras or skeleton masks inspired by Mexican artist Jose Guadalupe Posada may also be included.

Edibles

Food and drink are placed on the ofrenda as gifts to the returning souls. These offerings of nourishment are thought to help sustain the visiting soul on its journey to and from the living world. Items such as pan de muerto or sweet bread loaves; atole made of corn cooked with milk or water; chicken in a sauce made with chocolate, chile, and sesame seeds called mole; as well as fruit, tamales, soft drinks and flesh water. Altars for angelitos consider a child's tastes, often including a bowl of milk, chocolate, mamones or cakes, and toys.

Flowers

Cempasuchil or yellow marigolds and other flowers such as the purple Mano de Leon or cockscomb are sold in the markets for decorating altars and gravesites. The petals of these flowers are sprinkled in the doorway of the home and on the way to the cemetery, and on the graves so their aromas will help guide the returning souls.

Family members make processions to the cemetery bringing offerings and decorations to the gravesites. In some regions, skeleton masks are worn to make fun of death. Once at the grave, families keep watch all night, lighting candles to guide the souls. Meanwhile, musicians play celebratory music, while priests offer blessings.

Across the Border

Day of the Dead celebrations can be found in a variety of forms within the United States. One such celebration takes place in Houston at the Lawndale Art Center. Every fall teachers, students, parents, and artists work toward a community celebration in honor of the Mexican tradition. Primarily art specialists, but also teachers of other disciplines and of all grade levels explore Day of the Dead concepts and encourage student production of artwork, such as life-size papier-mache skeletons, student created ofrendas, and two-dimensional drawings depicting Day of the Dead themes for exhibition at Lawndale Art Center.

The exhibition culminates with a celebration day for the community to view student creations and participate in activities such as decorating sugar skulls, making traditional papel picado or cut-paper decorations, and contributing to a community ofrenda. In the fall of 2004, in an effort to improve understanding of the traditions related to the Day of the Dead, Lawndale Art Center in conjunction with the Laboratory for Innovative Technology in Education at the University of Houston launched a Web site link as an informational resource for teachers and students. This Web site, lawndaleartcenter, org/dod, is available to anyone interested in learning more about the celebration.

Classroom Activities

Through discussion, encourage students to explore the topic of Day of the Dead in order to determine their existing understanding of the tradition. After selecting age-appropriate resources, introduce students to imagery and readings followed by discussion. Continue the discussion with the exploration of other traditions and art surrounding the dead, such as the practices used in ancient Egypt. As students gain more understanding of the traditions associatied with the Day of the Dead, examine the difference between the American tradition of Halloween and the Mexican celebration of Day of the Dead.

Related Studio Activities

Processional Day of the Dead Masks: Demonstrate how to apply papier-mache or plaster of Paris strips to mask molds. When the masks are dry, use tempera or acrylic paint to paint a solid colored background. Once dry, paint colorful designs used for calaveras or skulls.

Miniature Ofrendas

Have students select a deceased relative or person they wish to honor. After reviewing items traditionally used on ofrendas, choose an image of the person, as well as two- and three-dimensional objects or imagery to offer the person being honored. Use glue and wire to fasten the selections inside a small box or onto a two-dimensional support such as a piece of mat board or cardboard.

Resources

Ancona, G. Pablo Remembers: The Fiesta of the Day of the Dead. NY: Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Books, 1993.

Carmichael, E., & Sayer, C. The Skeleton at the Feast: The Day of the Dead in Mexico. Austin, Texas: University of Texas Press, 1997.

Hoyt-Goldsmith, D. Day of the Dead: a Mexican-American Celebration. New York: Holiday House, 1994.

Markello, C., & Wood, J. Day of the Dead / Dfa de los Muertos, from www.lawndaleartcenter.org/dod, 2004.

NATIONAL STANDARD

Students differentiate among a variety of historical and cultural contexts in terms of characteristics and purposes of works of art.

WEB LINKS

www.lawndaleartcenter.org/dod www.azcentral.com/rep/dead www.storyboardtoys.com/gallery/ Jerome.htm

Carrie Markello, a Houston Endowment LITE Fellow, is working toward a doctorate in art education at the University of Houston. [e-mail]. Kathy Bean is an art teacher at Edgewood Elementary School in Houston, Texas.