Language/Spanish/Culture/Día-de-los-Muertos
Հայերէն
Български език
官话
官話
Hrvatski jezik
Český jazyk
Nederlands
English
Suomen kieli
Français
Deutsch
עברית
हिन्दी
Magyar
Bahasa Indonesia
فارسی
Italiano
日本語
Қазақ тілі
한국어
Lietuvių kalba
Νέα Ελληνικά
Şimali Azərbaycanlılar
Język polski
Português
Limba Română
Русский язык
Српски
العربية القياسية
Svenska
Wikang Tagalog
தமிழ்
ภาษาไทย
Türkçe
Українська мова
Urdu
Tiếng Việt
Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a traditional Mexican holiday that takes place on November 1st and 2nd. It is a time to honor and remember loved ones who have passed away. This celebration has been recognized by UNESCO as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. In this lesson, we will dive deeper into the history, traditions, and vocabulary associated with Día de los Muertos.
History
Día de los Muertos's roots date back to pre-Columbian times when the Aztec people believed in visiting loved ones in the afterlife. After the Spanish colonization, some Catholic traditions were incorporated into the holiday, tying it more closely to the Christian celebrations of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day. Today, it is celebrated throughout Mexico and some parts of Central and South America.
Traditions
One of the most well-known symbols of Día de los Muertos is the calavera or sugar skull. These are often intricately decorated with colored icing, glitter, and other decorative items, and are often given as gifts or placed on gravesites. Altars or ofrendas are also created in honor of loved ones. These altars are often adorned with marigold flowers, favorite foods and beverages of the deceased, and papel picado, or decorative paper cutouts. Community members often gather to participate in parades, music, and dance to celebrate the lives of those who have passed away.
Vocabulary
Here are some key vocabulary words related to Día de los Muertos:
| Spanish | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| altar | ahl-tahr | altar |
| ofrenda | oh-fren-dah | offering |
| calavera | kah-lah-veh-rah | skull |
| papel picado | pah-pehl pee-kah-doh | decorative paper cutouts |
| marigold | mah-ree-gohld | cempasúchil (in Mexico) |
| pan de muerto | pahn deh mwair-toh | bread of the dead |
How to Celebrate
If you want to celebrate Día de los Muertos, here are some ideas:
- Build an altar or ofrenda to honor loved ones who have passed away. Include their favorite foods and drinks, photos, and candles.
- Attend a local Día de los Muertos festival or parade.
- Decorate your own sugar skulls or get some ready-made from a bakery.
- Make pan de muerto and share it with family and friends.
Conclusion
Día de los Muertos is a beautiful celebration of remembrance and honor for loved ones who have passed away. By learning about the history and traditions of this holiday, we can gain a deeper appreciation and understanding of Mexican culture and its values.
Sources