Dia de Los Muertos is celebrated in Mexico, Central America, and the United States. Even though the name translates into the Day of the Dead, it celebrates the living. Families get together to honor family members who passed away. In traditional Mexican villages, families would spruce up their relatives' grave sites with flowers, food the family members liked, and items the deceased enjoyed. People moved further away from family burial sites and built altars or ofrendas to honor family members.
Last week our schools engaged in activities in honor of Dia de los Muertos. Below is just a sampling of some of the things that took place.
An ofrenda was built at
Bradford to honor this ancient tradition that originated with the Aztecs. Students brought pictures of loved ones and pets, as well as items they enjoyed. We have also put pan de muerto, the bread of the dead, live and crafted marigold flowers, copal resin incense, and papel picado to decorate our ofrenda. As the Aztecs believed they could communicate with their relatives these two days, Dia de los Muertos allows family members to remember the people and pets they cherish.
Everybody loved the celebration and learning experience at
Glenfield that included an ofrenda and sugar skulls.
At
Montclair High School, Spanish teachers Mrs. Oviedo, Mrs. Grodner and Mrs. Jankowski dressed as Catrinas to honor the Day of the Dead. Students worked on cultural, created artifacts and an ofrenda.