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DÍA DE LOSMUERTOSDIGITAL OFRENDA

DÍA DE LOS MUERTOSD í a d e l o s M u e r t o s h a s i t s r o o t s i n a n c i e n t r i t u a l sp r a c t i c e d b y t h e i n d i g e n o u s p e o p l e s o f t h e A m e r i c a s ,d a t i n g b a c k o v e r 3 0 0 0 y e a r s . T h i s s p e c i a l o c c a s i o n i sa w a y t o r e m e m b e r a n d c e l e b r a t e l o v e d o n e s w h oh a v e p a s s e d a w a y , e m p h a s i z i n g t h e i m p o r t a n tc o n n e c t i o n b e t w e e n l i f e a n d d e a t h .D í a d e l o s M u e r t o s i s c e l e b r a t e d o n N o v e m b e r 1 s t a n d2 n d , w h e n i t ' s b e l i e v e d t h a t t h e s p i r i t s o f t h ed e c e a s e d r e t u r n t o t h e i r f a m i l i e s . F a m i l i e s c r e a t ea l t a r s i n t h e i r h o n o r , w h i c h i n c l u d e v a r i o u sc o m p o n e n t s l i k e y e l l o w m a r i g o l d s , c a n d l e s , p h o t o s o ft h e i r l o v e d o n e s , p a p e l p i c a d o ( c u t t i s s u e - p a p e rd e s i g n s ) , a n d o f f e r i n g s o f f o o d a n d b e v e r a g e s .TABLE OF CONTENTSSymbols & TraditionsKids Craft ActivitiesOur Digital Ofrenda

SYMBOLS &TRADITIONS

S Y M B O L S & T R A D I T I O N ST h e t r a d i t i o n o f c r e a t i n g o f r e n d a s f o r t h e D a y o f t h e D e a dh a s e x p a n d e d b e y o n d i n d i v i d u a l h o m e s , w i t h m u s e u m s , a r tg a l l e r i e s , c o m m u n i t y c e n t e r s , a n d s c h o o l s p a r t i c i p a t i n g i nt h i s c u l t u r a l p r a c t i c e . T h i s b r o a d e r c e l e b r a t i o n a i m e d t oc e l e b r a t e a n d p r e s e r v e t h e r i c h h e r i t a g e o f t h e A m e r i c a s ,t r a n s f o r m i n g i t f r o m a f a m i l y t r a d i t i o n i n t o a c o m m u n i t ye x p r e s s i o n o f c u l t u r a l p r i d e t h a t c o m m e m o r a t e s t h ea n c e s t o r s o f t h e A m e r i c a s .P u b l i c o f r e n d a s a r e e r e c t e d t o h o n o r i n f l u e n t i a l f i g u r e s i nL a t i n a r t i s t c o m m u n i t i e s w h o h a v e m a d e s i g n i f i c a n tc o n t r i b u t i o n s t o L a t i n o c o m m u n i t i e s . T o d a y , e l D í a d e l o sM u e r t o s i s r e c o g n i z e d a s a n a r t i s t i c p h e n o m e n o n t h a tf o s t e r s c o m m u n i t y b o n d s . S a n F r a n c i s c o s a w i t s f i r s td o c u m e n t e d D a y o f t h e D e a d a c t i v i t i e s i n t h e e a r l y 1 9 7 0 s ,a n d t h e y h a v e c o n t i n u e d t o g r o w i n s i g n i f i c a n c e .

S Y M B O L S & T R A D I T I O N SMany people make altars or “ofrendas” (offerings) in their homes tohonor their loved ones who have died. Every ofrenda also includesthe four elements: water, wind, earth and fire. Water is left in a pitcher so the spirits can quench their thirst. Papelpicado, or traditional paper banners, represent the wind. Earth isrepresented by food, especially bread. Candles are often left in theform of a cross to represent the cardinal directions, so the spirits canfind their way. Every state in Mexico has its own particular way ofsetting up their ofrendas. In some regions, you can find a flat surfacewith all the elements on it, while in others you can find several levels.The most common ones have three levels, which represent heaven,earth, and the underworld. With more elaborate ofrendas, you canfind up to seven levels.OFRENDAS

PAN DE MUERTOCALVERA"Pan de Muerto," also known as Breadof the Dead, is a significant food duringDay of the Dead celebrations. It variesby region and is commonly found onthe altar, but people also enjoy it bydunking it in coffee or hot chocolate.Check out this Pan de MuertoRecipe! A "calavera" is a skull, a"calaverita" is a small skull, and a"calavera de azúcar" is a sugarskull. These are placed on thealtar and may feature the nameof the departed inscribed on theforehead. Sugar skulls are asweet and colorful tribute to thedeceased.S Y M B O L S & T R A D I T I O N S

CEMPASÚCHITLPAPEL PICADOCempasúchitl or "Flor de Muerto" is aflower used in Day of the Dead traditions,adorns altars and graves. It's known forits pungent scent, believed to attractvisiting spirits. These flowers come inorange and purple, symbolizing theearth and grief, and their vibrant colorsand powerful fragrance are thought tobring joy and guide spirits to their lovedones' memorials."Papel picado" is intricately cutdecorative paper widely used forvarious holidays and celebrations.During Día de los Muertos, it's placedaround the altar's edges, addingvibrant colors to the table. Somebelieve it symbolizes the element of airin the altar, with its delicate and flowingpatterns.S Y M B O L S & T R A D I T I O N S

LA CATRINAThe original La Catrina was createdby Mexican illustrator JoséGuadalupe Posada as part of hissatirical lithograph seriesaddressing political and societalissues, widely published in theMexican press. These caricaturesfeatured central figures with skullfaces, making a powerful politicalstatement that transcended classand status.The adoption of La Catrina in Día deMuertos takes various forms, frompeople proudly dressing up asCatrín and Catrinas in formal orMexican attire to the presence ofsugar skulls in ofrendas. You canfind thousands of Catrina sculpturesand even creative transformationsof famous icons into Catrinas, likethe Frida Catrina. La Catrina hasbecome a beloved emblem of thiscelebration.S Y M B O L S & T R A D I T I O N S

KIDS ACTIVITIES & RESOURCES

SUGAR SKULLSHow to make sugar skullsVideo TutorialPAPEL PICADOHow to make papel picadoVideo TutorialCEMPASÚCHITLHow to make flor de muertosVideo TutorialREPUJADO HEARTSHow to make Repujado HeartsVideo Tutorial

DIGITALOFRENDA

Chuck was one of my favorite co-workers at the Express-News. He always made me laugh even though we had littlein common except for our love of dachshunds. At least oncea week he would bring his barbecue into the office aftertesting a recipe for the paper and I would always send anemail alerting the newsroom. We would always joke abouthow fast it would be gone after the email. On my last day atthe paper he made a special trip to the office just to saygoodbye to me. Sadly it would be the last time I saw him inperson. Here are some lovely articles that really captureChuck's spirit and impact on people:Article 1Article 2Submitted by: Misty Harris

This is my dad, Nazih, who we lost three years ago. My dadwas an immigrant, an entrepreneur and a man of greatpride. He never owned or wore a pair of sweats, a T shirt,jeans or even sneakers. He was a suit and tie kind of man.However, he was not above silly behavior, as you can see.Because his wardrobe was so dressy, you could often findhim gardening, raking leaves and shoveling snow in hisPJs. You can imagine what the neighbors thought :) This ishow I love to remember my dad.Submitted by: Linda Zebian

Maria de Jesus, mi abuelita bonita My mother's mother wasthe most resilient, hard working, and beautifully put togetherwoman I've known. She raised her family on a ranch in Mexicoand made a living selling eggs, milk, and tortillas — all whilenever missing a hair appointment. She passed away gracefullyat old age, surrounded by her 6 children and 30+grandchildren. I cherish her memory even more so, whenspending quality time with my own mom. She's my gentilereminder to hug my mom a little bit tighter each time.Submitted by: Camila Rochin

Her name was Betty but I called her Puppy Grandmabecause she always had puppies at her house. She wasa tough one and worked all her life. She grew up in NewMexico before moving to Texas in her 20s. She had asign on her porch that said “forget the dog, beware ofthe owner.” She once cursed at Chuck Norris (truestory). Submitted by: Katie Selman