Celebrating the Day of the Dead
Although occurring around the same time of the year as Halloween, Dia de los Muertos or Day of the Dead, is a very different holiday. Dia de los Muertos is celebrated in many Latin American countries with a different focus.
This festival to celebrate the unity of life and death, is considered by many to be the most important holiday of the year in Mexico and other Latin American countries. It is the time once a year, when the spirits of loved ones who have died, return to earth to celebrate this holiday with friends and family.
Calacas and Calaveras (Skeletons and Skulls) are prominently featured in many of the Dia de los Muertos or Day of the Dead celebrations, not as objects of fear, but as ways of mocking death.
In addition to the Latin American countries, Dia de los Muertos is also celebrated in many regions in the United States, Brazil and the Philippines.
Even if not traditionally from your cultural background, Dia de los Muertos is a unique way of keeping the memories alive of those who have died.
Day of the Dead - Dia de los Muertos
October 31 marks the beginning of the fiesta of what we refer to in the United States as the Day of the Dead - El dia de los Muertos.Commonly referred to as the Day of the Dead, it is more accurate to say Los Dias de los Muertos (the Days of the Dead), since the fiesta is several days long, from October 31 - November 2.
The dates may coincide with Halloween, yet Day of the Dead is not related to the All Hallows' Eve celebrated in the States. The Day of the Dead is a day for people to celebrate the lives and the memories of those who have crossed the river separating life from death. It is a time when the departed souls are allowed to come back to the world for a visit.
Daily Activities
On October 31 (our Halloween) families begin preparing the food, decorations and the altar (ofrenda) that will be used during the festivities. November 1 (All Saints' Day*) is the day that the angelitos (spirits of the dead children) arrive. November 2 (All Souls' Day*) is the day for the spirits of the adults arrival.
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* All Saints' Day is a feast celebrated in honor of all the saints, known and unknown. For the Roman Catholic Church, All Saints' Day honors those who have attained the beatific vision in heaven. It is celebrated on November 1.
* All Souls' Day is the day in Western Christianity, commemorating the faithful departed. This day is observed especially in the Roman Catholic Church but to some extent also among Protestants. It is celebrated on November 2.
Source: Wikipedia. Day of the Dead.
Image Source: Miguel Ugalde. Deth's Coming. Royalty Free Use.
Books about Day of the Dead - Dia de los Muertos
A collection of books for reading and learning more about the Day of the Dead, Dia de los Muertos.
Day Of The Dead Through The Eyes Of The Soul: Mexico City (Great Heartlanders Series)
Amazon Price: $21.13 (as of 11/28/2009) 
Skulls to the Living, Bread to the Dead: The Day of the Dead in Mexico and Beyond
Amazon Price: $23.20 (as of 11/28/2009)
The Days of the Dead: Mexico's Festival of Communion with the Departed
Amazon Price: $18.25 (as of 11/28/2009)
The Skeleton at the Feast: The Day of the Dead in Mexico
Amazon Price: $23.07 (as of 11/28/2009)
Is Dia de los Muertos the same as Halloween?
Dia de los Muertos is often compared to Halloween in part because they both have skeletons and skulls as decorations. These two fall festival celebrations are very different, with very different origins.Halloween is based on a European holiday, All Hallows Eve, the day before All Hallows Day or All Saints' Day (November 1). It was a day of religious festivities in various northern European Pagan traditions.
The skeletons and skulls in Halloween (along with the other monsters, demons, goblins and witches) are objects of fear.
Mark Lacy with Houston's Institute for Culture offers these insights into the Day of the Dead and Halloween:
- Much like El Día de los Muertos, Halloween was developed by prehistoric cultures -- Druids, Romans, and Celtics -- to live harmoniously in the cycle of the seasons, the harvest, and most importantly, the continuous circle of life.
Mexicans understand El Dia de los Muertos in much the same light-hearted context that many Americans understand Halloween.
With the pervasiveness of American mass culture on the airwaves, the renewed pride in local culture is seen particularly in El Día de los Muertos, as altars are displayed in public places, civic buildings, libraries, and even in the heart of the beast -- McDonald's and Wal-mart.
Ladislao Loera. About Dia de los Muertos. Dia De Los Muertos | Day of the Dead Website.
Lacy M. 2004. Origina of el dia de los Muertos. The Prehispanic Festival of the Dead Defies Cultural Invasions of Mexico. Houston Institute for Culture.
Image Source: Indigo Goat. Meeter and Greeter at fiesta Mehicana. Some Rights Reserved. Creative Commons.
Keeping a Vigil for Dia de Los Muertos Print
Dia De Los Muertos / Day of the Dead
A beautiful video essay that helps to explain the celebration of Dia de Los Muertos.
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A Different Cultural Perspective of Death - Death is Familiar
- The word death is not pronounced in New York, in Paris, in London, because it burns the lips.
The Mexican, in contrast, is familiar with death, jokes about it, caresses it, sleeps with it, celebrates it; it is one of his favorite toys and his most steadfast love.
Octavio Paz
Nobel laureate
Image Source: Zeldaloo Studios. Day of the Dead Sugar Skull. Some Rights Reserved. Creative Commons.
Day of the Dead Sections
Click on the links below to jump to the section you are interested in reading.
Day of the Dead Photographic Print
More Resources on Day of the Dead
- Day of the Dead - Dia De Los Muertos
- Day of the Dead, azcentral.com's coverage of Day of the Dead, Dia de los Muertos, a three-day Mexican holiday to honor and celebrate loved ones who have died.
- Day of the Dead in Mexico
- Day of the Dead website. Features award winning author and photographer, Mary J. Andrade as she explores the rich history and tradition surrounding the Day of the Dead ritual in Mexico.
- Mexican Tradition - Day of the Dead - Dia de los Muertos
- The Day of the Dead - A time when Mexico honors those gone but not forgotten.
- Day of the Dead, El Dia de Muertos
- One of the most beautiful and meaningful rituals is El Dia de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead, and particularly impressive is the celebration that takes place in Janitzio,Michoacan.
- Dia De Los Muertos | Day of the Dead: Day of the Dead
- Dedicated to the Mexican holiday, el dia de los muertos - Day of the Dead. Information on altar making, the history of the holiday and Day of the Dead art.
- Traditions of Mexico - El Dia de los Muertos y Mas
- An extensive look at the Traditions of Mexico, in particular Dia de los Muertos by the Houston Institute for Culture.
- The Altar - Day of the Dead in Mexico
- The Day of the Dead celebration includes an altar and offerings dedicated to the deceased from the award winning Day of the Dead in Mexico site.
- Day of The Dead Blog
- Author Mary J. Andrade shares her shares her experiences about the celebration of the Day of the Dead tradition in Mexico, the United States and other parts of the world.
Using Skulls and Skeletons to Teach Children About Dia de los Muertos
In Mexico, children are often given skeleton toys, as a representation of death, so their first encounter with death isn't a fearful one. Playing with the skeleton toys helps teach children that life is for the living, and is to be lived until the time we die.Teaching children to be less fearful of skeletons as representations of death is something that I have been working on for a few years. I have developed special teaching sessions for both of my daughters' classes around our Halloween using skeleton puzzles as a way to desensitize them to skeletons. These activities, projects and suggestions have been collected in the Doin' the Bone Dance Lens.
These activities could be easily used or modified with the Day of the Dead and Dia de los Muertos.
There are several points when developing activities to help children be less fearful of skeletons:
- 1. Develop other (more realistic) views of skulls and skeletons rather than just as an object of death
2. Find ways of remembering and honoring loved ones.
3. Desensitize the children to skeletons as objects to fear during the Day of the Dead.
4. Use skulls and skeletons as a way of celebrating the life of a loved on who has died.
5. Learn a bit about anatomy.
A Featured Lens on Teaching Children with Skeletons
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Doin' the Bone Dance and Other Creative Ways to Learn Bone Anatomy
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Teaching children about bone anatomy can be made a bit easier and a lot more fun for the children by using some songs, dances and available innovative educational tools. The idea for this lens came after watching a recent episode of Hannah Montana the...
Day of the Dead Activities for Children
Printable Modules for Teachers and Parents- Day of the Dead Activities Brochure
- A Day of the Dead Activity Sheet for children created by the Tohono Chul Park in Arizona featuring information on making a La Ofrenda, Calaveras de Azucar, a Papel Picado pattern.
- Day of the Dead - Dia de los Muertos - For Teachers
- Day of the Dead educational material for teachers and students.
- Day of the Dead Education Packet
- PDF File of the Azcentral.com's extensive this extensive education packet as part of their Dia de los Muertos site. The packet includes puzzles, coloring pages, Papel Picado lesson plan with template, a Calavera mask and Skeleton puppet.
- Lesson Plan - Day of the Dead, or "Dia de los Muertos"
- A lesson plan for celebrating Day of the Dead or Dia de los Muertos developed for 4th - 5th grade level by Andrea Pretti.
- Mexico's Day of the Dead (Lesson Plan) - TeacherVision.com
- Students can gain an understanding that various cultures have differing views of life and death by by studying the Day of the Dead, or Dia de los Muertos.
- Dia De Los Muertos Lesson Plan 1 - Remembering
- The purpose of this lesson is to show children how the lives of people can be celebrated by remembering the lives of people that have died and give them a connection to relatives or others they may no longer have with them.
Day of the Dead Crafts Book on Amazon
Day of the Dead Crafts: More than 24 Projects that Celebrate Dia de los Muertos
Amazon Price: $13.59 (as of 11/28/2009)
Day of the Dead Crafts is filled with many of terrific projects that allow people to creatively participate in the excitement of the holiday.
Projects include Calaveras, Masks and Skulls, Ofrendas, Necklaces, Bracelets and more.
More Day of the Dead Crafts on Amazon
Mexican Folk Art Coloring Book (Dover Coloring Book)
Amazon Price: $3.95 (as of 11/28/2009)
Geeperz Day of the Dead Skeleton Craft Kit (Makes 12)
Amazon Price: $14.68 (as of 11/28/2009)
Masks: Curiosity Kits Day of the Dead Masks
Amazon Price: $19.99 (as of 11/28/2009)
Paper Crafts for Day of the Dead (Paper Craft Fun for Holidays)
Amazon Price: $21.53 (as of 11/28/2009)
Books for Children about Day of the Dead
A collection of books that are useful for teaching children about the Day of the Dead that the many traditions.
Calavera Abecedario: A Day of the Dead Alphabet Book
Amazon Price: $6.99 (as of 11/28/2009)
Clatter Bash!: A Day of the Dead Celebration (Multilingual Edition)
Amazon Price: $12.44 (as of 11/28/2009)
Felipa and the Day of Dead
Amazon Price: (as of 11/28/2009)
Day of the Dead
Amazon Price: $7.00 (as of 11/28/2009)
Celebrate Halloween and the Day of the Dead with Cristina and Her Blue Bunny (Stories to Celebrate)
Amazon Price: $11.95 (as of 11/28/2009)
Mexico's Day of the Dead on YouTube
Carrie from the Travel Channel takes part in Mexico's "Day of the Dead" Festival.
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A Family Celebration of Life and Death
The Day of the Dead is time of celebration, not one for mourning. It is a happy time when once a year the spirits of loved ones who have died, return to earth.
People prepare special meals and decorations, sit on the decorated graves, share stories and memories, sing songs, play music, spending the night with the spirits of their departed loved ones.
Many people not raised with the tradition of the Day of the Dead find solace in this lighter, cheerful, family-oriented approach to the subject of death. Dia de los Muertos is a unique way of keeping the memories alive of those who have died.
People prepare special meals and decorations, sit on the decorated graves, share stories and memories, sing songs, play music, spending the night with the spirits of their departed loved ones.
Many people not raised with the tradition of the Day of the Dead find solace in this lighter, cheerful, family-oriented approach to the subject of death. Dia de los Muertos is a unique way of keeping the memories alive of those who have died.
More Day of the Day Books for Children
More books that are useful for teaching children about the Day of the Dead that the many traditions.
I Remember Abuelito / Yo Recuerdo a Abuelito: A Day of the Dead Story / Un Cuento Del Dia De Los Muertos (Spanish and English Edition)
Amazon Price: $13.25 (as of 11/28/2009)
El Dia De Los Muertos: The Day of the Dead (Rookie Read-About Holidays)
Amazon Price: $5.95 (as of 11/28/2009)
Festival of Bones / El Festival de las Calaveras: The Little-Bitty Book for the Day of the Dead (English and Spanish Edition)
Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 11/28/2009)
The Spirit of Tio Fernando: A Day of the Dead Story/El Espiritu De Tio Fernando : Una Historia Del Dia De Los Muertos
Amazon Price: $6.95 (as of 11/28/2009)
Day of the Dead: A Celebration of Life and Death (First Facts)
Amazon Price: $16.58 (as of 11/28/2009)
Calacas and Calaveras - Skeletons & Skulls
As with Halloween, Calacas (Skeletons) and Calaveras (Skulls) are prominently featured in all of the celebrations and activities for the Day of the Dead.People wear calacas (skull) masks and dance to remember their deceased relatives. Celebrants may joke and make fun of death, represented by the Calaveras, the skeletons.
Skulls in different forms are dedicated to the dead relatives and placed on altars. Sugar, chocolate and amaranth skulls are created with the name of the dead person on the skull's forhead and then given to each other, so they can eat their own death.
Photo Source:
Jait. Day of the Dead Candy. Some Rights Reserved. Creative Commons.
Day of the Dead Skeleton Mariachis Print
Day of the Dead Skulls and Skeletons
Vote for your favorite Day of the Dead - Dia de Los Muertos items.
1
Mexican Folk Art Coloring Book (Dover Coloring Book) by Marty Noble
Striking adaptations of authentic native art depic more...1 point
2
Masks: Curiosity Kits Day of the Dead Masks
Make you own day of the dead masks with this wonde more...1 point
3
Day of the Dead Skulls, Set of Two, Assorted Colors and Paint Patterns
This is a set of two Day of the Dead Skull figures more...1 point
5
Dias de los Muertos Mighty Magnets Set of 10 magnets
Each magnet in this Lucy Lu Mighty Magnet 10-piece more...0 points
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Sunny Buick Sugar Skulls Journal
'In my art death isn't something dark and scary. I more...0 points
9
Dias de los Muertos Mighty Magnets Set of 10 magnets
Each magnet in this Lucy Lu Mighty Magnet 10-piece more...0 points
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Day of the Dead Skulls on Short Sleeve Toddler Fine Jersey T-shirt
Day of the Dead Skulls on Short Sleeve Toddler Fin more...0 points
12
Day of the Dead Wedding, 6 X 6 Decorative Wall Tile
This is a ceramic Day of the Dead Decor 6 x 6 Wall more...0 points
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Three Sisters- On the Day of the Dead Holidays Giclee Poster Print by Terra Laurant, 16x20
Art.com is the world's largest retailer of art pri more...0 points
15
Dia de los Muertos Mask - Cosmo
Perfect Dia de los Muertos, Halloween or Mardi Gra more...0 points
17
Day of the Dead 2009 Wall Calendar
This wall calendar measure 11 %uFFFD 17 when opene more...0 points
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Day of the Dead Decorative Switchplate Cover
Handcrafted to the highest standards using the art more...0 points
A Cultural View of Death and Posada's Skeletons
In Mexican culture, death is often confronted with humorous sarcasm. Death is case as an equalizer that not even the wealthiest can escape. The emotional response to death is characterized by impatience, disdain or irony.
The popular engravings of Mexican artist Antonio Guadalupe Posada resemble the woodcuts of the medieval danse macabre, in which people from all walks of life danced fearfully with their own skeletons, although Posada's skeletons seem to have no anxious premonitions about death.
Source:
DeSpelder LA. Strickland AL. 2005. The Last Dance: Encountering Death and Dying. 7th Edition. New York, N.Y.: McGraw Hill.
The popular engravings of Mexican artist Antonio Guadalupe Posada resemble the woodcuts of the medieval danse macabre, in which people from all walks of life danced fearfully with their own skeletons, although Posada's skeletons seem to have no anxious premonitions about death.
Source:
DeSpelder LA. Strickland AL. 2005. The Last Dance: Encountering Death and Dying. 7th Edition. New York, N.Y.: McGraw Hill.
Dia de los Muertos on Ebay
Day of the Dead and Dia de los Muertos items and products on from Ebay.
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A Lens on the Artwork of Day of the Dead
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Day of the Dead Art
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History, information and opinions on Day of the Dead, a celebrated holiday in Mexico, and the effect it has on the world at large.
Silver and Sparkly - Skulls and Skeleton
Skulls and Skeleton Jewelry on Amazon
Moveable Sterling Silver Science SKELETON Bone Earrings
Amazon Price: $29.99 (as of 11/28/2009)
List Price:
Sterling Silver Gothic Spooky Skull with a Rose in his Teeth Pendant
Amazon Price: $9.99 (as of 11/28/2009)
List Price:
Polished Hip Stainless Steel Money Clip
Amazon Price: $79.99 (as of 11/28/2009)
List Price: $89.99
Skull Goth Earrings Limited Edition Art Jewelry
Amazon Price: $7.99 (as of 11/28/2009)
List Price:
Sterling Silver Movable Skeleton Necklace
Amazon Price: $35.99 (as of 11/28/2009)
List Price: $58.00
La Calavera de la Catrina
La Calavera de la Catrina is a 1913 zinc etching by the deceased printmaker José Guadalupe Posada.While not popular in its time, the image of La Catrina has since become a staple of Mexican imagery, and is often incorporated into artistic representations of the Day of the Dead such as altars (ofrendas) and calavera costumes.
It was part of his series of calaveras, which were humorous images of contemporary figures depicted as skeletons, often accompanied by a poem.
Image Source:
"Calavera de la Catrina" by José Guadalupe Posada. Public Domain due to Age.
La Catrina Art Work Print
More Images of La Catrina
La Catrina is a figure commonly found in Mexico and featured during the celebration of the Day of the Dead.La Catrina is a figure created by the Mexican artist José Guadalupe Posadas in the early 1900's. The word catrin or catrina means well dressed or dressed very elegant.
Posadas, satirize the mexican women of high society by representing them as skulls and skeletons. These were the ladies who enjoyed walking in the parks of Mexico City, with their beautiful hats and elegant dresses.
Todays La Catrina has become a classic representation of the Death in Mexico, with her big hat and elegant presence. La Catrina has become an icon of the Day of the death.
Image Source:
Wikipedia. Wikimedia. Dominik. Catrina Sculpture. Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License.
La Catrina on CafePress
La Catrina skeleton Jr. Jersey T-Shirt
Price: 26.99
La Calavera Catrina Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Price: 23.99
La Catrina skeleton Women's Pink T-Shirt
Price: 22.99
La Calavera Catrina Hooded Sweatshirt
Price: 39.99
La Calavera Catrina Organic Cotton Tee
Price: 24.99
More La Catrina Items on CafePress
A collection of La Catrina items.
Calavera Catrina Sigg Water Bottle 1.0L
Price: 27.99
Sweatshirt
Price: 29.99
Tile Coaster
Price: 9.50
Women's Dark T-Shirt
Price: 22.99
La Catrina skeleton Mug
Price: 15.99
Calaveras de azucar (Sugar Skulls)
Calavaras de azucar (sugar skulls) are sweet way of combining elements of life and death:- Death - in the skull design
Life - in the sweetness of the sugar.
The Calavaras are often placed on the altar or ofrenda as a way of honoring those who have died.
Eating the sugar skulls also part of the celebration...as a way of mocking death.
Photo Source:
Stu Spivack. Candy Skull. Some rights reserved. Creative Commons.
Sugar Skulls - Calaveras de azucar
Sugar Skulls are Exchanged Between Friends for Day of the Dead Festivities, Oaxaca, Mexico Photographic Poster Print by Judith Haden, 16x12
Amazon Price: $29.99 (as of 11/28/2009)
Sunny Buick - Rose Sugar Skull - Sticker / Decal
Amazon Price: $1.79 (as of 11/28/2009)
Sunny Buick - Eagle Sugar Skull - Sticker / Decal
Amazon Price: $1.99 (as of 11/28/2009)
Sugar Skulls, Day of the Dead, Mexico, North America Photographic Poster Print by Liba Taylor, 32x24
Amazon Price: $49.99 (as of 11/28/2009)
Calaveras de Azucar (Sugar Skull) Molds on eBay
Make your own Calaveras de Azucar as a fun activity with your children.
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand byDay of the Dead, Sugar Skull Candy Print
More on Making Sugar Skulls
Calavaras de Azucar or Calaveres de dulces is another traditional folk art form from Southern Mexico passed down. Colorful Sugar skulls are created to use in celebrating and decorating for the Day of the Dead.Making and decorating Sugar skulls is also a fun activity that can be done with children as a way of introducing the to another culture and the Day of the Dead traditions.
Once made Calavaras de Azucar are used to decorate ofrendas (altars) and taken to the cemetery to decorate the tombs.
Photo Source:
Stu Spivack. Calaveres de dulces. Some Rights Reserved. Creative Commons.
- Sugar Skull Making Instructions
- Make sugar skulls as part of your family tradition to remember your dear, departed loved ones.
- Making Sugar Skulls for Day of The Dead
- From the GourmetSleuth instructions and recipes for making sugar skulls for Dia de los Muertos.
- Sugar Skulls Recipe
- Sugar Skulls Recipe for Calaveras de Alfeñique from Inside Mexico.
- Make someone's Dia with candy skulls
- Traditional sugar skulls are a must-have element of any Dia de los Muertos ofrenda or fiesta. The palm-size calacas (skulls) are made from granulated sugar, water and touch of meringue powder and then pushed into plastic molds.
- Sugar Skull - Mexican Sugar Skull
- From azcentral.com a recipe for Day of the Dead Sugar Skull.
- Sugar Skull Making Project
- How to make sugar skulls for the Day Of The Dead.
Calaveras de Azucar - Edible or Merely Decorative
There appears to be some differences in opinions as to the edibility of the decorative sugar skulls.
While there is nothing in the ingredients that will make you sick in Sugar Skulls except for the tin foil and other decorations, after all the handling that is done to create them, they may not be very clean. So according to one artisan, sugar skull should be used for decorative purposes only.
If you are looking for an edible skull artisans recommend making them in white or dark chocolate and just using icing to decorate them.
While there is nothing in the ingredients that will make you sick in Sugar Skulls except for the tin foil and other decorations, after all the handling that is done to create them, they may not be very clean. So according to one artisan, sugar skull should be used for decorative purposes only.
If you are looking for an edible skull artisans recommend making them in white or dark chocolate and just using icing to decorate them.
Day of the Dead Sugar Skulls from CafePress
Small Poster
Price: 16.79
Jumble Of Sugar Skulls Note Cards (Pk of 10)
Price: 19.99
Calavera Tile Coaster
Price: 8.99
Day of the Dead Skeletons and Skulls
A collection of Calacas and Calavaras from the Dia de los Muertos on Flickr.
curated content from Flickr
Pan de Muertos - Bread of the Dead
Pan de Muertos is a sweet egg bread made in various shapes. This Bread of the Dead is often formed in the shape of a skull, or a round loaf with strips of dough attached to resemble bones.The bread is sometimes decorated white frosting to look like twisted bones.
Each village has its own unique style of Pan de Muertos that is prepared and placed on the altars (Ofrendas) for the deceased.
Pan de Muertos is prepared for Dia de los Muertos and then shared with family members. The bread is usually eaten as they all tell stories and reminisce about loved ones who have died.
Pan de Muertos Recipe
Ingredients:1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup water
5 to 5-1/2 cups flour
2 packages dry yeast
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon whole anise seed
1/2 cup sugar
4 eggs
In a saucepan over medium flame, heat the butter, milk and water until very warm but not boiling.
Meanwhile, measure out 1-1/2 cups flour and set the rest aside.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the 1-1/2 cups flour, yeast, salt, anise seed and sugar.
Beat in the warm liquid until well combined. Add the eggs and beat in another 1 cup of flour.
Continue adding more flour until dough is soft but not sticky.
Knead on lightly floured board for ten minutes until smooth and elastic.
Lightly grease a bowl and place dough in it, cover with plastic wrap and let rise in warm place until doubled in bulk, about 1-1/2 hours.
Punch the dough down and shape into loaves resembling skulls, skeletons or round loaves with "bones" placed ornamentally around the top.
Let these loaves rise for 1 hour.
Bake in a preheated 350 F degree oven for 40 minutes. Remove from oven and paint on glaze (recipe below).
Glaze:
1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup fresh orange juice
2 tablespoons grated orange zest
Bring to a boil for 2 minutes, then apply to bread with a pastry brush. If desired, sprinkle on colored sugar while glaze is still damp.
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Source: Day of the Dead. Tohono Chul Park Activity Brochure.
Photo Source:
Rogerio Enríquez. Ofrenda Día. Some Rights Reserved. Creative Commons.
Rogerio Enríquez. Ofrenda Noche. Some Rights Reserved. Creative Commons.
Pan de Muertos - Bread of the Dead
Pan de Muertos or Bread of the Dead on Flickr.
![pan de muertos by [sic]](http://static.flickr.com/111/288500077_4ca2d1cbcd_s.jpg)
curated content from Flickr
Day of the Dead Bread Print
Pan de Muerto Recipe
A collection of additional recipes for Pan de Muerto, Bread of the Dead for Dia de los Muertos.
- Pan de Muerto Day of the Dead Recipe
- A Pan de Muerto Recipe to make the Bread of the Dead.
- Pan de Muertos - Day of the Dead
- Another recipe for Bread of the Dead from Mexico Connect.
- Traditions of Mexico - Pan de Muerto
- Recipe from Houston Institute for Culture, Traditions of Mexico, Dia de los Muertos.
- Pan de Muertos (Mexican Bread of the Dead)
- A recipe for Mexican Bread of the Dead from the All Recipes website.
Dia de los Muertos - Day of the Dead Collectibles on eBay
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand byLa Ofrenda - The Offerings
La ofrenda is Spanish for "offering." It is an altar, often created in the home, decorated for the Day of the Dead celebration.The altar is a place to honor, please and some believe help light the pathway for the souls returning to spend this time once a year with family.
In creating the altar, family members honor their deceased with ofrendas or offerings which include items that the deceased enjoyed in life. Photographs, bread, other foods, flowers, toys and other symbolic offerings, drinks (alcoholic and not), cigarrettes, mexican dishes (mole, rice, tamales, ect.), candy and other significant items can be found on the Ofrenda.
Photo Source: Libertinus. Ofrenda. Some Rights Reserved. Creative Commons.
Day of the Dead Night Vigil Print
Day of the Dead Video on YouTube
During Day of the Dead, people come to Casa Ramirez in the Heights to build altars and celebrate the lives of their loved ones a video story from the Houston Chronicle.
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La Ofrendas on Flickr
A collection of ofrendas created for the Day of the Dead.
curated content from Flickr
More About and Resources for Creating La Ofrenda
- Day of the Dead Altars
- This lens looks at the various components of Day of the Dead altars, altar art, and how to construct your very own ancestor altar.
- La Ofrenda from Traditions of Mexico - El Dia de los Muertos
- Information about La Ofrendas, altars from the Traditions of Mexico, Dia de los Muertos developed by Houston Institute for Culture.
- Day of the Dead Contemporary Altar - Dia De Los Muertos Altars
- An example of a contemporary ofrenda for the Day of the Dead.
- Day of the Dead Traditional Altar - Dia De Los Muertos Altars
- An example of a contemporary ofrenda for the Day of the Dead.
- The Altar - Day of the Dead in Mexico
- El Dia de los Muertos celebration includes an altar and offerings dedicated to the deceased. Information from the award winning Day of the Dead in Mexico site.
- La ofrenda
- Ofendas are an essential part of the Day of the Dead celebrations. This page has ideas for what to include on a Day of the Dead Altar.
- La Ofrenda: an Altar For Day-of-the-Dead Offerings
- ArtHouse Provides instructions for creating an Altar for Day-of-the-Dead Offerings.
Altars and Offerings for Days of the Dead in the Amazon Spotlight
El Corazon De La Muerte/Altars and Offerings for Days of the Dead (Spanish Edition)
Amazon Price: (as of 11/28/2009)
El Corazon De La Muerte/Altars and Offerings for Days of the Dead provides information for creating altars and offerings for the Day of the Dead ceremonies.
Published by the Oakland Museum of California hosts an annual exhibition and celebration of Los Días de los Muertos-the Days of the Dead-that draws several thousand people from across the San Francisco Bay Area.
Graves Covered with Flowers Print
A Squidoo Lens on La Ofrenda or Day of the Dead Altars
The Day of the Dead Altar
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Day of the Dead Altars
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Learn the how and why of altar making, an important part of the Mexican Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos) celebration.
Papel Picados - Punched Paper
Papel picado means punched or perforated paper. It is a traditional folk art in Mexico and other Latin American countries of cutting decorative banners. This is a 200-year-old tradition in Mexico.Papel picado banners and decorations are especially prominent during the Day of the Dead activities when the paper design features with images of skulls and skeletons. Once created the Papel picado are used to decorate altars, tables, graves, businesses, markets and plazas during festivals.
Papel picado artists use a hammer and sharp fierritos (small chisels) to punch designs in stacks of forty to fifty layers of colored tissue at one time. The intricate lace-like designs include images of flowers, letters, animal and human figures.
The tradition of crafting creating papel picados is passed down from one generation to the next. Papel picado folk artists are well known for their paper cutting skills within the community.
More recently this popular decorative art is now produced in plastic, a more practical and durable for hanging above outdoor markets.
Source:
Papel Picado: The Art of Mexican Cut Paper. NTIEVA (North Texas Institute for Educators on the Visual Arts). Fall 1996 Vol. 7, No. 3.
Image Source: Tumacácori National Historical Park. Kids Korner: Papel Picado.
Altar Decorations for Day of the Dead Print
Papel Picados - Punched Paper on Flickr
One of the more popular designs for the Papel Picados is the Calacas and the Calavaras (Skeleton and Skull)
![39 / Proyecto 365 México by [mequetrefe]](http://static.flickr.com/3242/2866183467_ea79b56707_s.jpg)
curated content from Flickr
Books on Making Papel Picados on Amazon
Books to help you in making your own Papel Picados and Mexican Art.
Making Magic Windows: Creating Cut-Paper Art With Carmen Lomas Garza
Amazon Price: $9.95 (as of 11/28/2009)
Crafty Chica's Art de la Soul: Glittery Ideas to Liven Up Your Life
Amazon Price: $16.96 (as of 11/28/2009)
Mexico & Central America: A Fiesta of Cultures, Crafts, and Activities for Ages 8-12
Amazon Price: $14.49 (as of 11/28/2009)
Mexicolor: The Spirit of Mexican Design
Amazon Price: $16.47 (as of 11/28/2009)
The Latino Holiday Book: From Cinco de Mayo to Dia de los Muertos--the Celebrations and Traditions of Hispanic-Americans
Amazon Price: $11.53 (as of 11/28/2009)
Decorations for Day of the Dead Print
Create Your Own Papel Picados
A collection of websites with information, patterns and resources for making your own Papel Picados.
- Papel Picado
- Papel picado is a fun Mexican art form that allows children of all ages to express their creativity.
- Crafts : The Art of Paper Cutting : Home & Garden Television
- Paper cutting patterns and inspiration for turning them into dazzling decor.
- Day of the Dead Crafts from the Toy Maker
- The Toy Maker has created a variety of Day of the Dead and Halloween crafts. Include are papel picado skull banner and a dancing skeleton.
- PDF File of a Papel Picado Skull
- A Papel Picado Skull banner from the Toy Maker.
- Papel Picado in Day of the Dead Activities Brochure
- A Day of the Dead Activity Sheet for children created by the Tohono Chul Park in Arizona with a Papel Picado pattern.
- Lesson Plan: Making Papel Picado Artwork
- Lesson plan: How to Make Papel Picado, Mexican Day of the Dead folkart, & La Ofrenda altars.
- Lesson Plan: Learn the Traditional Mexican Folk Art of Paper Cutting
- Papel picado is the traditional Mexican folk art of paper cutting... appropriate as 6th grade social studies activities. Includes a link to a pattern.
- Kid's Korner: Papel Picado
- From the Tumacacori National Historical Park information and patterns on creating Papel Picado, colored tissue paper has long been a Mexican folk tradition.
Papel Picados on eBay
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand byOther Squidoo Lens on the Day of the Dead - Dia de los Muertos
More on Dia de los Muertos or Day of the Dead from other Squidoo Lensmasters.-
Day of the Dead
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November 1, All Saints Day, and November 2, All Souls Day are celebrated by Mexicans+ with exciting various customs and offerings. An array of colorful adornments are brought to life by many makers of art worldwide. People unite at family buria...
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DAY OF THE DEAD
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Día de los Muertos is a holiday rooted in the ancient past of Mesoamerica. My ancestors were in awe of the eternal cycle of life and death and believed in the need for sacrifice to assure the continuation of life. The Aztecs of past honored th...
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Dia De Los Muertos
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In honor of my grandmother Eva Every year, on November 1st (All Saints Day) and 2nd (All Souls Day), something unique takes place in many areas of Mexico: Day of the Dead festivities. While it's strange for most of us to accept the fact that "death"...
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Day of the Dead: Lots about this Mexican Tradition, nothing about the movie.
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A LOT of information about Dia de los Muertos or Day of the Dead. Actually a holiday which spans 3 days from October 31 - November 2, celebrating those who have passed on.
Dia de los Muertos Art Available on eBay
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand byBlog Posts about the Day of the Dead
- The Day of the Dead « Remembering Joe – memories of Johanna Lee
- In San Francisco every year as in many other places large and small people celebrate the Day of the Dead. This festival comes from south of the border but bears an uncanny resemblance to the Celtic Fire Festival of Samhain. ...
- Mexican Day of the Dead antique prints - Boing Boing
- The British Museum is hosting two exhibitions of Mexican artwork and culture - "Moctezuma: Aztec Ruler" and "Revolution on paper: Mexican prints 1910-1960" - and displaying Day of the Dead papier mâché figures and an altar, ...
- The Nevada Sagebrush » Day of the Dead celebration brings culture ...
- Teatro Sangre Latina y Danza Azteca Aztlan, a Latino theater and dance group, performed ?El Día de los Muertos,? or ?Day of the Dead,? a theatrical dance performance in Spanish, Aztec and English and based on the traditional Latin ...
- Day of the Dead on Flickr - Photo Sharing!
- Day of the Dead. ... Day of the Dead. Day of the Dead by Teckelcar. To take full advantage of Flickr, you should use a JavaScript-enabled browser and install the latest version of the Macromedia Flash Player. ...
The Day of the Dead - Dia de Los Muertos Lens is a Festival Lens
This Lens is a member of the Festivals Around The World Group.-
Festivals Around The World Headquarters
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Festivals Around The World Nearly every day, something special is celebrated somewhere around the world. National and regional traditions are celebrated by the people who are passionate or curious about them, much like Squidoo Lensmasters. This i...
The Latest News about Dia de Los Muertos
- Students learn about Dia de los Muertos
- By Rachel Parker Dickerson The Spanish students of Martha Hibbard and Corey Oliver at Bob Courtway Middle School were learning about Dia de los Muertos (Day ...
- VIDEO | Fruitvale “Dia De Los Muertos” Festival
- By Kate Ruprecht ?Dia de Los Muertos? Festival in Oakland's Fruitvale district on Nov. 1. Dia de Los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is an annual celebration ...
- Celebrations of Día de los Muertos promote cultural awareness
- Día de los Muertos, an ancient Latin American tradition lives on in the hearts of many Latin Americans living in Los Angeles. ...
- Museum celebrates El Dia de los Muertos
- El Día de los Muertos is celebrated annually on Nov. 1 and 2 in the Latin community to honor the lives of the deceased. MSU Museum Assistant Curator LuAnne ...
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The Latest News about Day of the Dead
- Day of the Dead
- To celebrate Día de los Muertos ? the Mexican Day of the Dead (today is All Souls' Day) ? head to St. Mark's Church-in-the-Bowery for music and other ...
- Backlash over day of dead meeting was 'horrendous'
- The Halloween event, which was inspired by Mexican Day of the Dead celebrations, went ahead on the sports field despite the row. Evenwood and Barony Parish ...
- Nerdles.com Fan-Movie Of The Day – Batman: Dead End
- By Griff Filmed in 2003, Batman: Dead End is nothing short of an Internet phenomenon, being downloaded 600000 in its first week. ...
- Mexicans mourn drug war victims on Day of the Dead
- On the Day of the Dead, Mexicans keep alive a tradition that blends Catholic rituals with the pre-Hispanic belief that the dead return once a year from the ...
Reader Feedback on Calacas & Calaveras
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- nancydodds1 nancydodds1 Oct 31, 2008 @ 12:24 am
- Its an awesome lens. Nice information i got from your lens. Good sharing and my 5***** for you.
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- Alex-and-Ra Alex-and-Ra Oct 30, 2008 @ 12:23 pm
- awesome! i've been looking for some good information on this holiday so 5* thanks! this lens would be a perfect addition to Mexico Travel - The Best of the Best ( http://www.squidoo.com/groups/mexicotravel ) feel free to join!
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- Mortira Mortira Sep 27, 2008 @ 12:13 pm
- Fantastic lens! What a wealth of info. Thanks for sharing and comparing this great holiday! 5 stars and a 'roll!
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- kab kab Jan 21, 2008 @ 8:19 pm
- I would love to be in Mexico for this special day. It's on my Bucket List.
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- rms rms Oct 21, 2007 @ 6:55 am
- This is a fantastic source of information and a fun read. Thank you for adding it to the Gothic Temptations Group!
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Kirsti A. Dyer MD, MS, FT is a specialist in Thanatology (Death Education). She is also a respected physician, an expert in life challenges, loss, gr...
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