Teaching Day of the Dead History and Activities

El Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a day of celebration, particularly for the people in Mexico and Central America and for many Mexican Americans in the United States. It is a day to honor and commemorate the lives of the dearly departed and to welcome the return of their spirits. The tradition of the Day of the Dead is rooted in Indigenous and Spanish Catholic ritual customs. Today, this celebration has been increasingly popular among Latinos in the United States, and although many of the traditional elements have remained, the way the Day of the Dead is celebrated has changed. However, the unity of life and death continues to be the dominant theme of the art, tradition, and rituals of the annual celebration of the Day of the Dead on Nov. 2.

Although the holiday falls on the two days after Halloween – it has nothing to do with the American scarefest that falls on Oct. 31. Day of the Dead is a celebration of life and ancestry. And, although the celebrations feature pan de muerto, decorative sweetbread baked or purchased for beloved ancestors, skulls made of sugar and fragrant marigolds, said to lead deceased loved ones home to their families, there is nothing ghoulish about the holidays. Ancestors are remembered in loving, respectful ways that in no way resemble trick-or-treating.

The Aztecs and their contemporaries in Latin America celebrated the end of summer farming with pagan festivities that appeared something like today’s Day of the Dead. These festivities were blended with the Catholic traditions of All Saints and All Souls day with the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors.

Today, Day of the Dead is typically celebrated in Spanish-speaking homes or at grave sites on Nov, 1, a day when children who have passed are honored, and Nov. 2, the day to honor adults. Families decorate graves or home altars in honor of loved ones who have passed with photos and other memorabilia and lay out feasts of the relatives’ favorite foods. Here are some great resources for learning about the history and culture of the Day of the Dead.

1. The American Latino Museum’s Day of the Dead Learning Kit offers a starting point to celebrate and learn about the holiday through Smithsonian collections, videos, music, and hands-on activities.

2. Google Arts & Culture has a curated series of online exhibits on Día de los Muertos. Exhibits include “The Meaning of the Altar,” “Honoring Our Ancestors,” and “La Catrina: Lady of the Dead.”

3. Phoenix has its own Dia de los Muertos Cultural Coalition. You can view videos of its events here.

4. Here’s more information about Day of the Dead from National Geographic Kids.

Allison Green
Boston Tutoring Services