Acalanes Celebrates Día de los Muertos
By Audrey Parkin, Online Editor
Photos by Audrey Parkin
As sunlight seeps out of the sky and the moon rises, countless candles illuminate the joyous parades, festive dancing, and buzzing conversation in cemeteries and homes. This is what a Day of the Dead celebration can look like across Mexico, other Latin American countries, as well as many communities in the United States.
Surrounding the holiday, Acalanes brought these traditions to the campus, in particular Spanish classrooms, allowing students to experience the holiday and the meaning behind it.
The Day of the Dead, or Día de los Muertos, originated in early South American societies and is now traditionally Mexican. Celebrations occur on Nov. 1 and Nov. 2, honoring the lives of deceased family members through festive activities, conversation, and food to bring their spirits back to the present.
“[Día de los Muertos is about] remembering loved ones who have passed away. People set up altars in their homes and there are things placed on the altars [like] something that the person enjoyed in life that helps you remember them, as well as photos [of the person],” Spanish teacher Clifford Shaw said.
Symbolism behind decorations and traditions is a big part of celebrating the holiday and loved ones. Acalanes Spanish teachers decorate their classrooms each year to recognize Día de los Muertos.
“I have sugar skulls, masks, skeleton figurines, a rattle, and posters [as decorations]. The figurines represent [common] things that occur [for Day of the Dead], like somebody [making] Day of the Dead bread, and somebody playing the guitar. [They are doing] things that happen in [real] life, but the figurines are skeletons,” Shaw said.
In addition to decorations around and in Spanish classrooms, Acalanes Spanish classes celebrate Día de los Muertos through a variety of activities.
“In Spanish 5 we studied [and remembered] Frida Khalo on the Day of the Dead. We also [looked] at the Indigenous Aztec origins of the celebration,” Shaw said.
In addition to studying the history behind the holiday, there were also more interactive activities to help students participate in the traditions of Day of the Dead.
“El altar is [an activity] for Spanish 3 and it's for them to bring something that reminds them of someone that has passed away from their family. ... They have to do a one-minute oral presentation in Spanish explaining what [the item] is and who gave it to them and why it’s important for them. Over the course of the week we have the beautiful altar with all of these lovely objects,” Spanish teacher Elizabeth Holland said.
On Nov. 1, to acknowledge this holiday outside of Spanish classrooms, the cafeteria served special food for all students to enjoy.
For many, Día de los Muertos is a valuable holiday to reconnect with deceased loved ones and remember to cherish their memories.
“I think having the celebration every year helps you get back in touch with deceased loved ones. Being able to do that year after year is nice. This is a special day to remember them,” Shaw said.
