Mini learning targets 1.I will be able to talk about Mexico as a country. 2.I will be able to discuss the holiday called “Día de los muertos.” México.

Mini learning targetsMini learning targets

1.1. I will be able to talk about Mexico I will be able to talk about Mexico as a country.as a country.

2.2. I will be able to discuss the holiday I will be able to discuss the holiday called “Día de los muertos.”called “Día de los muertos.”

México

¿Dónde está México?¿Dónde está México?

MéxicoMéxico is the is the country, country, paíspaís, , that borders that borders the United the United States in the States in the south.south.

PoblaciónPoblación: : 118,395,054118,395,054

Todo sobre MéxicoTodo sobre México Spanish is spoken Spanish is spoken

in Méxicoin México, but , but was brought by was brought by SpaniardsSpaniards..

It has It has 3131 states. states. The country’s The country’s

capital is Mexico capital is Mexico City, or City, or Ciudad de Ciudad de México, México, DFDF [[Distrito FederalDistrito Federal].].

Cosas interesantesCosas interesantes

México’s largest native groups were México’s largest native groups were the Mayans and Aztecs. the Mayans and Aztecs.

These civilizations were very These civilizations were very talented in mathematics, writing, talented in mathematics, writing, artearte, architecture, and trade, architecture, and trade..

Spanish Spanish conquistadoresconquistadores arrived in arrived in México in 1519México in 1519..

La bandera de MéxicoLa bandera de México

VerdeVerde, blanco, , blanco, rojorojo

El Día de los El Día de los MuertosMuertos

¿Qué?¿Qué? What is it?What is it?

El Día de los Muertos, (the Day of the Dead) is a traditional Mexican El Día de los Muertos, (the Day of the Dead) is a traditional Mexican holiday honoring loved ones lost.holiday honoring loved ones lost.

It’s not a sad time, but instead a time of remembering and rejoicing. It’s not a sad time, but instead a time of remembering and rejoicing. It is a festive, joyous time of celebration. It is a festive, joyous time of celebration. Most important holiday, which means they invest a lot of time and Most important holiday, which means they invest a lot of time and

money into celebrating.money into celebrating. When is it?When is it?

Although November 2nd is the official date for Day of the DeadAlthough November 2nd is the official date for Day of the Dead It is celebrated between October 31It is celebrated between October 31stst - November 2nd. - November 2nd.

Where is it celebrated?Where is it celebrated? In Mexico, Ecuador, Guatemala, and Central and South America In Mexico, Ecuador, Guatemala, and Central and South America

populated with the Latino ethnic background. populated with the Latino ethnic background. Areas of the southern United States, such as California, Texas, and Areas of the southern United States, such as California, Texas, and

Arizona, where there are a high population of Mexicans.Arizona, where there are a high population of Mexicans.

Traditions: SkeletonsTraditions: Skeletons Las calaveras Las calaveras

(skulls) are found (skulls) are found everywhere. Edible everywhere. Edible chocolate and white chocolate and white chocolate skeletons chocolate skeletons are made to put at are made to put at altars and to share.altars and to share.

Handmade skeleton Handmade skeleton figurines, called figurines, called ccalacasalacas, are , are especially popular. especially popular. CalacasCalacas usually usually show an active and show an active and joyful afterlife. joyful afterlife. Figures of Figures of musicians, generals musicians, generals on horseback, even on horseback, even skeletal brides, in skeletal brides, in their white bridal their white bridal gowns marching gowns marching down the aisles down the aisles with their boney with their boney grooms. grooms.

Traditions: FoodTraditions: Food Pan de MuertosPan de Muertos

Special loaves of egg bread are baked, called Special loaves of egg bread are baked, called pan de pan de muertosmuertos, and decorated with "bones. , and decorated with "bones.

Traditions: FlowersTraditions: Flowers During El día de los muertos, the yellow marigold symbolizes the short duration During El día de los muertos, the yellow marigold symbolizes the short duration

of life. of life. Other flowers commonly seen during this celebration include the white amaryllis, Other flowers commonly seen during this celebration include the white amaryllis,

wild orchids, baby's breath and ruby coxcombs are offered as adornment and wild orchids, baby's breath and ruby coxcombs are offered as adornment and enticement for the returning spirits. enticement for the returning spirits.

Wreaths made of flowers, both real and plastic, are often placed near or on the Wreaths made of flowers, both real and plastic, are often placed near or on the remembrance sites and altarsremembrance sites and altars

Traditions: Papel PicadoTraditions: Papel Picado Papel Picado is a traditional Papel Picado is a traditional

art used to decorate homes, art used to decorate homes, businesses, markets and businesses, markets and altars in preparation for the altars in preparation for the Day of the Dead. Day of the Dead.

The thin tissue paper images The thin tissue paper images are usually cut in large are usually cut in large quantities and hung in quantities and hung in repetitious patternsrepetitious patterns..

Traditions- AltarsTraditions- Altars In the homes In the homes

families arrange families arrange ofrendasofrendas or or "altars" with "altars" with flowers, bread, flowers, bread, fruit and candy. fruit and candy.

In the late In the late afternoon, afternoon, special all night special all night burning candles burning candles are lit. Altars are lit. Altars should include:should include:

A picture of the A picture of the one being  one being  remembered remembered

Items they likesItems they likes Something to Something to

snack on snack on Candles Candles Flowers Flowers GiftsGifts

Traditions: CemeteriesTraditions: Cemeteries People go to the cemeteries to clean People go to the cemeteries to clean

up and decorate the graves of their up and decorate the graves of their loved ones.loved ones.

They leave food, drinks, gifts, They leave food, drinks, gifts, flowers, and play music that they flowers, and play music that they enjoyed.enjoyed.

They will even picnic there with their They will even picnic there with their family and friends in honor of them.family and friends in honor of them.

They also burn incense and candles.They also burn incense and candles.

Traditionals:Parades/ Street Traditionals:Parades/ Street PartiesParties For the public, children, teens, For the public, children, teens,

and adults dress up in and adults dress up in traditional costumes, and paint traditional costumes, and paint their faces to remember their their faces to remember their loved ones.loved ones.

Seems odd doesnSeems odd doesn’’t it???t it??? For those who did not grow up in a

culture that celebrates such a holiday, these practices and rituals might seem odd.

Keep in mind that in the United States, it is common for people to visit the graves of their family members and friends.

Many see Memorial Day as similar. Many also leave flowers for them, and

reconnect with their loved ones.