Dia De Los Muertos: Celebrating the Lives of Loved Ones

 

El Dia de los Muertos (the Day of the Dead) is a celebration to remember and honor lost loved ones.  Although it is celebrated throughout Latin America, the holiday is strongly associated with Mexico, where the tradition originated. On November 1-2, the streets of Mexico are filled with decoration, flowers, Calaveras (skulls) and parades to honor the dead; it’s truly a sight to see! No travel plans to Mexico this weekend? No worries! Many of our schools are celebrating the holiday right here in Indy!

 

Middle school students at Crispus Attucks Medical Magnet High School are studying the traditions around Dia de los Muertos and decorating Calacas (skeletons) this week.

Day of the Dead

Calacas and Calaveras are the most familiar symbols of Dia de los Muertos, they typically appear as candied sweets, parade masks and dolls. The art class of Ms. Amanda Wade studied the proportions of the human body to create a more realistic skeleton and decorated them for various different professions.

 

“I enjoyed the project because I liked how we got to bring out our creativity on the skeleton,” says Jasmine R. a student from Ms. Wade’s class.

 

Ms. Wade is excited her students are focusing on multi-cultural art this year.

 

“It is fun for my students to share their heritage and traditions, and to learn about new ones!”

 

This holiday is one of the many cultural traditions that our students are exposed to allowing them to develop a sense of diversity and respect for various cultures. 

 

“I liked learning about the Hispanic traditions,” said Attucks student Gabriella F.

Day of the Dead

 
 A door-decorating contest is in full swing for students at Lew Wallace Elementary School 107, they are filled with traditional sugar skulls and other memorial items. The winning class will not only get bragging rights, but also a fun popcorn party to celebrate. On Monday morning, students will have a chance to parade through the building to quickly see all of the completed doors. In addition to the fun, school leaders have set up a ‘remembrance table;’ students, staff and teachers are decorating with photos and objects that remind them of their lost loved ones.

 

“I am going to bring in photographs of my grandparents, a flag which was flown at my Father-in-Laws military funeral, and a picture of my brother-in-law,” says Principal Jeremy Baugh, “these items help me remember the special people that I have lost, and will be a unique way for me to share more about my family with our school community.”