Friday, October 22, 2010

"Dia de Los Muertos" Celebration in Spanish Club



Students in all five elementary Spanish Clubs celebrated "Dia de Los Muertos" this month. Dia de Los Muertos is celebrated throughout Mexico and the U.S. Southwest. It coincides with All Souls and All Saints Days. On November 1st and 2nd, people remember those who are deceased. November 1st is considered the Dia de Los Angelitos, the day to remember children, and November 2nd is the traditional Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead). Pictures of the deceased are placed on Dia de Los Muertos altars with their favorite food and drink. Candles to light their way home, and soap and water to freshen up after their long trip back, are also often placed on altars. Trinkets they were fond of, symbols they would understand, and gifts are left to communicate to them that they are always in the hearts of those they left behind, and that they are still part of the family.
Students used a common symbol of Dia de Los Muertos, the skull, to make a picture to honor someone who has died.