I remember learning about El Dia de los Muertos in high school Spanish Class. We made dead bread. It was so good! Here’s a recipe for Pan de Muertos. I don’t remember if it’s close to the same recipe or not. We would have to ask my high school Spanish teacher, Señora Maxwell (who is a kick butt Words with Friends player BTW). Pato and I have never celebrated El Dia de los Muertos with the kids, I’m not sure why. We have celebrated Dia de los Reyes (day of the kings) that comes on January 6. He really needs to get with our kids on Mexican holidays more since he is the expert, being from Mexico and all.
El Dia de los Muertos (the Day of the Dead), a Mexican celebration, is a day to celebrate, remember and prepare special foods in honor of those who have departed. On this day in Mexico, the streets near the cemeteries are filled with decorations of papel picado , flowers, candy calaveras (skeletons and skulls), and parades.
It is believed that the spirit of the dead visit their families on October 31 and leave on November 2.
In order to celebrate, the families make altars and place ofrendas (offerings) of food such as pan de muertos baked in shapes of skulls and figures, candles, incense, yellow marigolds known as cempazuchitl (also spelled zempasuchil) and most importantly a photo of the departed soul is placed on the altar.
Death is laughed at in its face. Many euphemisms are used for death, La calaca (the skeleton), la pelona ("baldy"), la flaca ("skinny"), and la huesada ("bony"). There are refranes, sayings, and poems that are popular with day of the dead. These sayings are cliches and lose meaning when translated. For example "La muerte es flaca y no puede conmigo" means "Death is skinny/weak and she can’t carry me." Calaveras (skulls) are decorated with bright colors with the name of the departed inscribed on the head. Children carrying yellow marigolds enjoy the processions to the cemetery. At the cemetery, music is played and dances are made to honor the spirits.
I was sent the cutest El Dia de los Muertos coloring sheet to share with you guys!
Download a copy for the kids to color in! (That’s linked to the PDF.) I know my kids are going to love this!
THE MUPPETS opens in theaters everywhere on November 23rd!
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