This papier-mâché skull is a Mexican holiday decoration known as a Calavera. Calaveras are decorative representations of the human skull and are associated with Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). Day of the Dead is celebrated in Mexico and by Mexican Americans living in the United States. Day of the Dead celebrations have roots in Aztec, Maya, and Toltec harvest festivals. The tradition of celebrating the dead dates back 3,000 years.
During Day of the Dead festivities, it is tradition for Mexican families to gather, share food and celebrate the lives of loved ones that have died. These celebrations include decorating altars with various forms of calaveras to represent departed loved ones. It is celebrated on November 1st and 2nd, though Oct. 31 and November 6th are also celebrated in some places. This holiday coincides with All Saints’ or All Souls’ Day on the Catholic calendar. The holiday includes both Catholic and Indigenous elements.
Calaveras or skulls are often made from clay, papier-mâché (like the 3D item featured here), or sugar. When they are made of sugar they are known as alfeñiques. In addition to calaveras, papel picado, candles, flowers, photographs, and favorite foods of the departed are frequently placed on Day of the Dead altars.
Teacher-Made Calavera Lesson Plan- 5th Grade Social Studies pt.1
Teacher-Made Calavera Lesson Plan- 5th Grade Social Studies pt.2
Story: Quetzlcoatl Rescues Humanity from Mictlan
In Aztec mythology, it is believed that after death, a person's spirit travels to through the nine levels of the Land of the Dead. After completing challenges in each level, the spirit is expected to reach its final resting place, Mictlan (meaning "underworld" in Nahuatl). If the spirit is unable to complete the challenges, it will wander in the Land of the Dead for eternity. These spirits are remembered during Day of the Dead events to connect those in the world of the living and the land of the dead. A popular Mesoamerican creation myth features Quetzalcoatl, an Aztec deity, that saves the human race from the Mictlan.
All Saints' and All Souls' Day: A Celebration
Colonial Europe had its own share of Day of the Dead-like celebrations; pagans and Christians also commemorated the dead with feasts. These European festivities took place during the same time of the year, late October and early November. In medieval Spain, for example, families brought wine and spirit bread to the graves of those that died for All Souls' Day. They also lit candles to symbolize a guide path for the souls to find their final resting place. When Spanish colonization reached the Americas, these European traditions blended with Mesoamerican, pre-Columbian traditions in order to convert the Indigenous population to Christianity.
This video looks at two Catholic holidays, All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day, which are back-to-back holidays celebrated on November 1st and 2nd, respectively.
US Hispanic Population: Pew Research
Since the 1980s, the celebration of the Day of the Dead and proliferation of calaveras has been on the rise. The holiday, which used to be a mainly indigenous-celebrated event, has gained mass popularity throughout Mexico and the Mexican diaspora. With a growing Mexican population in the United States, the tradition has also become a growing part of American culture as well.
This article examines the growth of Hispanic populations in the US, and how it has influenced American culture.
No Matter Where You Are: Book of Life
In 2014, 20th Century Fox released the film The Book of Life, which focuses on the Day of the Dead celebration and includes imagery of the festivities. In 2017, Disney released its own Day of the Dead-themed film, Coco, which won an Academy Award for Best Animated Film. The success of both films helped solidify the impact of Mexican American culture in popular media.
Here are clips from both movies. What elements are similar and different between the interpretations?
