VOCABULARY
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HOME PROJECTS
Choose from three home projects:
Paper Flowers
Sugar Skulls
Paper Banner
Choose from three recipes:
Pan de Muertos
Mole Estilo Oaxaca
Tamales
To view a class project for Dias de los Muertos, click here.
To view student and teacher resources for Dias de los Muertos, click here.
For a vocabulary list related to Dias de los Muertos, click here
Calaca: a skeleton figure representing death.
Calavera: Skeleton
Calavera: satirical or humorous verses used to praise or criticize important or recognized political, intellectual or celebrity figures which appear in newspapers at this time of the year.
Calaveras de dulces or alfeniques: Skulls made of sugar, egg white, water, lemon juice and cream of tartar. They are decorated using soft icing in a variety of colors and forms. The most appreciated alfeniques come from San Miguel de Allende, Guanajato and Toluca, sites of the la feria del alfenique, a special candy fair visited by many people from Mexico's cities.
Cempazuchitl o zenpasuchitl: Yellow or orange marigolds that symbolize death.
Cloatlicue: Goddess of earth and death. The figures represents a decapitated woman. Found in Tenochitlan.
Dia de los muertos: All Saints' Day
Ofrenda: Tables, stands, or altar set aside by the Mexican families to welcome their dead relatives.
Pan de los muertos: Sweet loaf bread, shaped into a swollen oval and decorated with lagrimas, small pieces of baked dough representing human bones or small skulls.
Pectoral: Armor portraying an emaciated mask representing death.
Posada, Guadalupe Jose (1852-1913): Mexican artist, author of wonderful illustrations depicting death in the everyday life of Mexican people. His satirical and humorous vision of death has been a source of artistic inspiration for Mexican artist within and outside Mexico.
Vida o Muerte: Pottery. Human head made of clay and representing life and death. Found in Oaxaca.