The Day Of The Dead

Describes a Mexican family preparing for and celebrating the Day of the Dead.

Examines how Day of the Dead celebrations among America's Latino communities have changed throughout history, discussing how the traditional celebration has been influenced by mass media, consumer culture, and globalization.

The Day of the Dead is the most important annual celebration in Oaxaca, Mexico. Skillfully combining textual information and photographic imagery, this book begins with a discussion of the people of Oaxaca, their way of life, and their way of looking at the world. It then takes the reader through the celebration from the preparations that can begin months in advance through to the private gatherings in homes and finally to the cemetery where the villagers celebrate together — both the living and the dead. The voices in the book are of those people who have participated in the Day of the Dead for as long as they can remember. There are no ghosts here. Only the souls of loved ones who have gone to the Village of the Dead and who are allowed to return once a year to be with their family. Very readable and beautifully illustrated, this book provides an extensive discussion of the people of Oaxaca, their way of life and their beliefs, which make the Day of the Dead logical and easily comprehensible.

Day of the Dead is a very important holiday in Latin America. It is sometimes incorrectly thought of as a morbid holiday, or a Mexican version of Halloween. While the word "dead" or "muertos" is in the name, this holiday is the way that the people of Mexico honor the lives of ancestors, celebrate the joy of life, and connect with their Mexican heritage. Young readers will enjoy the amazing, colorful photographs of the Day of the Dead celebration, and a supportive glossary helps expand their vocabularies along with their cultural awareness.

Explains what All Souls' Day is, describes the rituals and customs practiced on this day in Oaxaca de Juárez, Mexico, and includes photographs of decorated altars, people's homes, food, and gifts that express the sorrow and joy of the festival.

When the monarch butterflies return to the Mexican countryside where Lupita lives, she knows Da de Muertos, the Day of the Dead, is near. Lupita's uncle reminds her that she should never capture or hurt a monarch because they are believed to be the souls of the departed. Full color.

Twelve-year-old twins Eva and Hector go to Mexico to celebrate the Day of the Dead with their great-aunt Rosa, bearing an eerie gift they purchased for her from Sebastian Cream's Junk Shop.

Each October, as the Day of the Dead draws near, Mexican marketsoverflow with decorated breads, fanciful paper cutouts, andwhimsical toy skulls and skeletons. To honor deceased relatives,Mexicans decorate graves and erect home altars. Drawing on a richarray of historical and ethnographic evidence, this volume revealsthe origin and changing character of this celebrated holiday. Itexplores the emergence of the Day of the Dead as a symbol ofMexican and Mexican-American national identity. Skulls to the Living, Bread to the Dead poses a serious challengeto the widespread stereotype of the morbid Mexican, unafraid ofdeath, and obsessed with dying. In fact, the Day of the Dead, asshown here, is a powerful affirmation of life and creativity.Beautifully illustrated, this book is essential for anyoneinterested in Mexican culture, art, and folklore, as well ascontemporary globalization and identity formation.