Underst11
UNDERSTANDING BY DESIGN
EDU 6524 Curriculum Design
Online Course
Spring Quarter, 2009
Dia de los Muertos: Day of the Dead
Unit Plan
Carly Schwarmann
EDU 6524 Curriculum Design with Dr. Lumpe
Spring 2009
Understanding by Design Unit Plan: Dia de los Muertos
Understanding by Design Unit Plan: Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead)
By Carly Schwarmann
Unit Title: Día de los Muertos
Class: Spanish 1, a class of 33 students in 9th and 10th grade, 55 minute periods
Kamiak High School, Mukilteo School District
Time Frame: 2 weeks: Monday, October 19, 2009-Monday, November 2nd, 2009 (the last day of Dia de los Muertos).
Summary
Dia de los Muertos is the Day of the Dead, a holiday celebrated in Mexico and other areas of Latin America on November first and second. It
celebrates life and honors death with vibrant decorations, family gatherings, and community activities. Families build altars, clean tombstones and
bring offerings for lost loved ones. The purpose of this unit is to teach students about the holiday including how and why it is celebrated.
Content Standards
Spanish is an elective, so I have listed related standards from foreign language. The five C’s of the Foreign Language Standards are
Communication, Cultures, Connections, Comparisons, and Communities.
Essential Questions




Where did the idea of celebrating death originate and how did it evolve into Dia de los Muertos?
How do we treat the idea of death in the United Sates compared to Mexico and other countries that celebrate Dia de los Muertos?
What are the implications of the cultural practices and traditions of celebrating Dia de los Muertos?
Do celebrations of Day of the Dead by immigrants and others in America have different connotations than in Mexico?
Enduring Understandings
Students will understand that…



Death can be discussed openly and does not need to be feared.
The cultural traditions involved in celebrating Dia de los Muertos help people to become comfortable with death.
Dia de los Muertos was created from a mix of Aztec and Catholic beliefs in an attempt to transform barbaric Aztec practices.
2
Monday October 19th, 2009 1:05-2:00
Timeline
Understanding by Design Unit Plan: Dia de los Muertos
Standard
Communication
1.1 Students engage in conversation, provide
and obtain information, express feelings
and emotions, and exchange opinions.
1.3 Students present information, concepts,
and ideas to an audience of listeners or readers
on a variety of topics.
Culture
2.1 Students demonstrate an understanding of
the relationship between the practices and
perspectives of the cultures studied.
2.2 Students demonstrate an understanding of
the relationship between the products and
perspectives of the cultures studied.
Connections
3.2 Students acquire information and recognize
the distinctive viewpoints that are only available
through the foreign language and its cultures.
Comparisons
4.2 Students demonstrate understanding of the
concept of culture through comparisons of the
cultures studied and their own.
Social Studies Skills GLE
5.3.1 Evaluates one’s own viewpoint and the
viewpoints of others in the context of a
discussion.
EALR Communication
2.1 Uses language to interact effectively and
responsibly in a multicultural context.
Skill:
Knowledge:
Students will
be able to
Students will
understand
Discuss
culturally
relevant
topics and
show respect
to others’
beliefs
Day of the
Dead is a
celebration
that honors
and pokes fun
at death
Activity
Modifications
Assessment
Rubric
Materials
and Sources
Introduction to Dia de los
Muertos through open ended
think pair share questions.
 What comes to mind
when you hear the
word death?
 How does your
family deal with
death? For example,
do you discuss it, do
you have certain
beliefs etc.
 Have you ever
experienced
someone close to
you die? (animal or
person)
 If so, do you do
anything special to
remember this
person or animal?
The questions
will be read
aloud and
shown on the
overhead for
students to
see.
I will keep track of
student
participation on
my clipboard.
overhead
transparency
with
questions
Parent letter
Hammons, M
(2005). El
Dia de los
Muertos: A
cultural unit
with
complete
lesson plans.
Seattle, WA:
No Do
Spanish
Services.
Send home parent letter
describing what we will be
studying and activities we
will be taking part in as a
class.
3
Tuesday, October 20th
Timeline
Understanding by Design Unit Plan: Dia de los Muertos
Standard
Communication
1.1 Students engage in conversation, provide
and obtain information, express feelings and
emotions, and exchange opinions.
Culture
2.1 Students demonstrate an understanding of
the relationship between the practices and
perspectives of the cultures studied.
2.2 Students demonstrate an understanding of
the relationship between the products and
perspectives of the cultures studied.
Connections
3.2 Students acquire information and recognize
the distinctive viewpoints that are only available
through the foreign language and its cultures.
Comparisons
4.2 Students demonstrate understanding of the
concept of culture through comparisons of the
cultures studied and their own.
Geography GLE
3.1.2 Identifies major world regions and
understands their cultural roots.
Geography GLE
3.2.2 Understands the causes and effects of
voluntary and involuntary migration in the world
in the past or present.
EALR Communication
1.2 Understands, analyzes, synthesizes, or
evaluates information from a variety of sources.
EALR Communication
2.1 Uses language to interact effectively and
responsibly in a multicultural context.
Skill:
Knowledge:
Students will
be able to
Students will
understand
Meet with a
member or
the
community
to learn more
information
about the
holiday.
Connections
with
immigrant
populations
Read,
understand,
and discuss a
newspaper
article
Traditions and
holidays can
be honored
and celebrated
in different
ways.
Activity
Modifications
Assessment
Rubric
Materials
and Sources
Assign Interview video:
Videotape an interview with
member of the community
that celebrates Dia de los
Muertos
Students can
check out my
video camera
if they don’t
have one.
See Interview
Rubric below
Rubric
Read newspaper article “The
Day of the Dead dances
across borders” about Dia de
los Muertos and discuss
essential questions
comparing Mexican culture
to our own and identifying
perspectives of immigrants
that celebrate Dia de los
Muertos in the United States
Compare Mexican traditions
with similar events we have
experienced in the United
States
We will edit
the video in
the computer
lab, so
students can
get assistance.
Large copies
of the article
will be printed
for the
visually
impaired.
Newspaper
article:
Paterson, K
(2008,
November,
4). The Day
of the Dead
dances across
borders.
Newspaper
Tree,
Retrieved
June 7, 2099,
from
http://newspa
pertree.com/c
ulture/3030
4
Wednesday, October 21st
Timeline
Understanding by Design Unit Plan: Dia de los Muertos
Standard
Culture
2.1 Students demonstrate an understanding of
the relationship between the practices and
perspectives of the cultures studied.
2.2 Students demonstrate an understanding of
the relationship between the products and
perspectives of the cultures studied.
Connections
3.1 Students reinforce and further their
knowledge of other disciplines through the
foreign language.
3.2 Students acquire information and recognize
the distinctive viewpoints that are only available
through the foreign language and its cultures.
Comparisons
4.2 Students demonstrate understanding of the
concept of culture through comparisons of the
cultures studied and their own.
Geography GLE
3.1.2 Identifies major world regions and
understands their cultural roots.
EALR Communication
1.1 Uses listening and observation skills and
strategies to focus attention and interpret
information.
Skill:
Knowledge:
Students will
be able to
Students will
understand
Answer
questions
from the
worksheet
using the
video
The history
and traditions
of the holidays
Activity
Modifications
Assessment
Rubric
Materials
and Sources
Watch a video about the
history and traditions of Dia
de los Muertos and answer
questions from the video on
a worksheet
Students hard
of hearing can
sit close to the
TV.
I will grade the
worksheet for
correctness.
(1992). Day
of the Dead
video.
Available
from Carlex
Inc., 1545 W.
Hamlin Rd.,
Rochester
Hills, MI
48309.
TV, VCR
Worksheet
and key
Hammons, M
(2005). El
Dia de los
Muertos: A
cultural unit
with
complete
lesson plans.
Seattle, WA:
No Do
Spanish
Services.
5
Thursday, October 22nd
Timeline
Understanding by Design Unit Plan: Dia de los Muertos
Standard
Communication
1.2 Students understand and interpret written
and spoken language on a variety of topics.
Comparisons
4.1 Students demonstrate understanding of the
nature of language through comparisons of the
language studied and their own.
Communities
5.1 Students use the language both within and
beyond the school setting.
EALR Communication
1.1 Uses listening and observation skills and
strategies to focus attention and interpret
information.
EALR Communication
1.2 Understands, analyzes, synthesizes, or
evaluates information from a variety of sources.
EALR Communication
2.1 Uses language to interact effectively and
responsibly in a multicultural context.
Skill:
Knowledge:
Students will
be able to
Students will
understand
Respond with
the
appropriate
action when I
say
vocabulary
words related
to Dia de los
Muertos.
The meaning
of the
vocabulary
words
Activity
Modifications
Assessment
Rubric
Materials
and Sources
TPR stands for total physical
response and is a popular
way to teach new vocabulary
in foreign language
classrooms. I teach a few
words at a time and we
choose an action that
represents the word. When I
say the word, the students do
the action. We repeat this
several times. Then I have
students practice with each
other. Finally we read a story
in Spanish with the words in
it and students do the action
when the word is read. This
is a great way to actively
learn new words and makes
it easy to quickly see if each
student knows the word.
Students slow
to recall
vocabulary
can watch
others around
them for hints.
Formative
Informal visual
assessment: watch
students as they
are performing the
actions of the TPR
story to ensure
they understand
the vocabulary.
TPR story on
an overhead
transparency
The crossword
reinforces the new
words learned.
Crossword
worksheet
Hammons, M
(2005). El
Dia de los
Muertos: A
cultural unit
with
complete
lesson plans.
Seattle, WA:
No Do
Spanish
Services.
Día de los Muertos
vocabulary crossword.
6
Friday, October 23rd
Timeline
Understanding by Design Unit Plan: Dia de los Muertos
Standard
Communication
1.2 Students understand and interpret written
and spoken language on a variety of topics.
Culture
2.1 Students demonstrate an understanding of
the relationship between the practices and
perspectives of the cultures studied.
2.2 Students demonstrate an understanding of
the relationship between the products and
perspectives of the cultures studied.
Comparisons
4.1 Students demonstrate understanding of the
nature of language through comparisons of the
language studied and their own.
Communities
5.1 Students use the language both within and
beyond the school setting.
EALR Communication
1.1 Uses listening and observation skills and
strategies to focus attention and interpret
information.
EALR Communication
1.2 Understands, analyzes, synthesizes, or
evaluates information from a variety of sources.
EALR Communication
2.1 Uses language to interact effectively and
responsibly in a multicultural context.
Skill:
Knowledge:
Students will
be able to
Students will
understand
Listen to the
story read in
English and
Spanish and
try to pick
out words
they
understand.
How Dia de
los Muertos is
celebrated in a
typical family
Activity
Modifications
Assessment
Rubric
Materials
and Sources
Read children’s story in
English and Spanish called,
Pablo remembers: The fiesta
of the Day of the Dead. It is
about a boy and his family
preparing for the day of the
dead to honor the memory of
his grandmother.
I will have
students sit on
the floor
around me so
they will not
be distracted
by things at
their desks.
After each page I
will ask students
to share words
they recognized
and keep track of
participation on
my clipboard.
Ancona, G.
(1993). Pablo
remembers:
The fiesta of
the Day of
the Dead.
New York:
Lothrop, Lee
& Shepard
Books.
7
Monday, October 26th
Timeline
Understanding by Design Unit Plan: Dia de los Muertos
Standard
Communication
1.1 Students present information, concepts,
and ideas to an audience of listeners or
readers on a variety of topics.
Culture
2.1 Students demonstrate an understanding of
the relationship between the practices and
perspectives of the cultures studied.
2.2 Students demonstrate an understanding of
the relationship between the products and
perspectives of the cultures studied.
Connections
3.2 Students acquire information and recognize
the distinctive viewpoints that are only available
through the foreign language and its cultures.
3.1 Students reinforce and further their
knowledge of other disciplines through the
foreign language.
Comparisons
4.2 Students demonstrate understanding of the
concept of culture through comparisons of the
cultures studied and their own.
Skill:
Knowledge:
Students will
be able to
Students will
understand
Write
Calaveras
using
creative ideas
Calaveras are
used during
the Day of the
Dead to poke
fun and
commonly
include
political
figures.
Activity
Modifications
Assessment
Rubric
Materials
and Sources
Make Calaveras, a type of
poem poking fun at death,
often written about living
celebrities.
I will show
samples of
calaveras to
help students
get started
Calevera Rubric
Student followed the
prompt 1 2
Student was creative
and appropriate 1 2
4 points
Due October 27th
Calaveras
copies and
samples
Use the following format:
Here lies _______, victim of
________. Explain how
he/she died (usually this is a
joke having something to do
with what they are well
known for). In life he she
was ________. In death
he/she will ___________.
Assign Power Point
Summative assessment
PowerPoint Rubric
Contains at least
five slides with
appropriate pictures
that show and
explain Dia de los
Muertos
54321
Includes captions
with relevant
information
54321
Well laid out,
organized and easy
to read, free of
grammatical errors
54321
Presenter uses clear
voice, has good
poise, and shares
important
information the
reader may not
already know
54321
20 points
Due Monday
November 2nd
Hammons, M
(2005). El
Dia de los
Muertos: A
cultural unit
with
complete
lesson plans.
Seattle, WA:
No Do
Spanish
Services.
8
Tuesday, October 27
Timeline
Understanding by Design Unit Plan: Dia de los Muertos
Standard
Connections
3.1 Students reinforce and further their
knowledge of other disciplines through the
foreign language.
EALR Communication
3.1 Uses knowledge of topic/theme, audience,
and purpose to plan presentations.
EALR Communication
3.2 Uses media and other resources to support
presentations.
Skill:
Knowledge:
Students will
be able to
Students will
understand
Use a
program on
the computer
to edit their
interview and
make a
quality
product
How to edit a
video
Activity
Modifications
Assessment
Rubric
Materials
and Sources
Edit interview video in
computer lab
The computer
lab assistant
and I will be
available to
help
individuals
See rubric below
Computers
Monitor student
progress by roving
around the room.
9
Wednesday, October 28th
Timeline
Understanding by Design Unit Plan: Dia de los Muertos
Standard
Communication
1.1 Students engage in conversation, provide
and obtain information, express feelings
and emotions, and exchange opinions.
1.2 Students present information, concepts,
and ideas to an audience of listeners or
readers on a variety of topics.
Culture
2.1 Students demonstrate an understanding of
the relationship between the practices and
perspectives of the cultures studied.
2.2 Students demonstrate an understanding of
the relationship between the products and
perspectives of the cultures studied.
Connections
3.2 Students acquire information and recognize
the distinctive viewpoints that are only available
through the foreign language and its cultures.
Comparisons
4.2 Students demonstrate understanding of the
concept of culture through comparisons of the
cultures studied and their own.
Communities
5.1 Students use the language both within and
beyond the school setting.
Geography GLE
3.2.2 Understands the causes and effects of
voluntary and involuntary migration in the world
in the past or present.
Civics GLE
1.3.1 Analyzes the relationships and tensions
between national interests and international
issues in the world in the past or present.
Skill:
Knowledge:
Students will
be able to
Students will
understand
Create a
polished
video
interview
with a
Hispanic
person in the
community
Traditions and
beliefs
influence
culture and
celebrations
Activity
Watch student interview
videos in class
Modifications
Assessment
Rubric
Materials
and Sources
Interview Video
Rubric
Asks in depth
questions that
produce
descriptive
explanations
54321
Prompts
interviewee to
explain traditions
and explain
answers clearly
54321
The video overall
gives the audience
a better
understanding of
how Dia de los
Muertos is
celebrated and
treated in Mexico.
54321
The video is good
quality with
transitions and
editing 5 4 3 2 1
20 point possible
Due Wednesday
October 26th
TV, DVD
player
10
Thursday, October 29th
Timeline
Understanding by Design Unit Plan: Dia de los Muertos
Standard
Culture
2.1 Students demonstrate an understanding of
the relationship between the practices and
perspectives of the cultures studied.
2.2 Students demonstrate an understanding of
the relationship between the products and
perspectives of the cultures studied.
Connections
3.1 Students reinforce and further their
knowledge of other disciplines through the
foreign language.
Comparisons
4.2 Students demonstrate understanding of the
concept of culture through comparisons of the
cultures studied and their own.
Skill:
Knowledge:
Students will
be able to
Students will
understand
Celebrate Dia
day los
Muertos
using the
same
traditions as
Mexicans.
How day of
the dead is
celebrated and
experience
similar
feelings
Bake bread
of the dead
and other
popular day
of the dead
treats.
Activity
Modifications
Assessment
Rubric
Materials
and Sources
Have our own Dia de los
Muertos celebration in class
with traditional food, drink,
decorations and an altar
Make bread of the dead,
sugar skulls, atole (a
Mexican drink) and an altar
in class and decorate class
with papier-mâché flowers,
and skeletons
I will assign
students to
tasks of
preparing
food, drinks,
and
decorations
according to
their talents
and abilities.
We will all taste
test the food and
drinks and enjoy
the decorations.
Students will self
assess how well
they did at the end
of the day.
Students can
bring
artifacts from
lost loved
ones for the
altar if they
choose
Bread of the
dead recipe
p. 71 and
Atole drink
recipe p. 74
Ingredients
for food and
drinks
Altar, black
table cloth,
and
decorations
Paper for
flowers and
skeletons
Salinas, B
(1988). Day
of the Dead
classroom
activities.
Auburn Hills,
MI: Piñata
Publications.
11
Friday, October 30th
Timeline
Understanding by Design Unit Plan: Dia de los Muertos
Standard
Connections
3.1 Students reinforce and further their
knowledge of other disciplines through the
foreign language.
EALR Communication
3.1 Uses knowledge of topic/theme, audience,
and purpose to plan presentations.
EALR Communication
3.2 Uses media and other resources to support
presentations.
Skill:
Knowledge:
Students will
be able to
Students will
understand
Create a
power point
to share
information
about day of
the dead.
How the day
of the dead is
celebrated,
how it has
evolved and
what it looks
like.
Activity
Modifications
Assessment
Rubric
Materials
and Sources
Work on Power Point
Presentations in computer
lab
The computer
lab assistant
and I will help
students.
Monitor student
progress by roving
around the room.
Computers
12
Monday, November 2nd
Timeline
Understanding by Design Unit Plan: Dia de los Muertos
Standard
Communication
1.3 Students present information, concepts,
and ideas to an audience of listeners or
readers on a variety of topics.
Culture
2.1 Students demonstrate an understanding of
the relationship between the practices and
perspectives of the cultures studied.
2.2 Students demonstrate an understanding of
the relationship between the products and
perspectives of the cultures studied.
Connections
3.2 Students acquire information and recognize
the distinctive viewpoints that are only available
through the foreign language and its cultures.
Comparisons
4.2 Students demonstrate understanding of the
concept of culture through comparisons of the
cultures studied and their own.
EALR Writing
2.1 write for different audiences
2.3 write in a variety of forms.
EALR Communication
1.1 Uses listening and observation skills and
strategies to focus attention and interpret
information.
Skill:
Knowledge:
Students will
be able to
Students will
understand
Present their
PowerPoint
presentation
to the class.
How day of
the dead is
celebrated and
learn from
other students
presentations.
Activity
Modifications
Assessment
Rubric
Materials
and Sources
Create a Power Point with
pictures explaining cultural
history and current traditions
of Dia de los Muertos.
I will make
sure students
have clear
desks and are
actively
listening.
See rubric above.
Students can ask
the presenter
questions at the
end of each
presentation.
In focus
Projector
13
Understanding by Design Unit Plan: Dia de los Muertos
Resources
(1992). Day of the Dead video. Available from Carlex Inc., 1545 W. Hamlin Rd., Rochester Hills, MI 48309.
Ancona, G. (1993). Pablo remembers: The fiesta of the Day of the Dead. New York: Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Books.
Hammons, M (2005). El Dia de los Muertos: A cultural unit with complete lesson plans. Seattle, WA: No Do Spanish Services.
Paterson, K (2008, November, 4). The Day of the Dead dances across borders. Newspaper Tree, Retrieved June 7, 2099, from
http://newspapertree.com/culture/3030
Salinas, B (1988). Day of the Dead classroom activities. Auburn Hills, MI: Piñata Publications.
The Day of the Dead Dances Across Borders
by Kent Paterson, FNS
In addition to the large event at Centro Mayapan, El Pasoans celebrated the first weekend of November with Day of the Dead parties, poetry readings
and, of course, numerous altars. Day of the Dead celebrations have moved north from Mexico to the borderlands and to points beyond in recent
years.
Posted on November 4, 2008
A 3,000 year-old Mesoamerican cultural tradition continues gaining force in the U.S.-Mexico borderlands and beyond. Declared an important world
cultural heritage by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, the Day of the Dead is a popular harvest season holiday
rooted in an indigenous celebration that honors the memory of departed souls.
In El Paso and many other U.S. communities where the Day of the Dead is becoming a big celebration, Spanish Catholic and other influences are
readily visible in the altars that are painstakingly constructed to commemorate loved ones. Political, social, spiritual and personal themes accompany
festivities that get bigger with each passing year.
El Paso resident Frank Barela learned about the Day of the Dead from his grandmother. “It was something we were brought up with,” Barela
recalled.
Now delivering workshops and lectures on altar construction, Barela noted the surge in popularity of an old but evolving tradition. “More and more
people are getting aware of what it means,” he said.
14
Understanding by Design Unit Plan: Dia de los Muertos
In El Paso, an estimated 3,000-4,000 people turned out Nov. 1 for a Yucatan-style Day of the Dead event held at Centro Mayapan, a community
center founded by former garment industry workers and activists affiliated with La Mujer Obrera. Food, music, dances and artistic exhibitions kept
many people busy, while others strolled by altars honoring the legendary journalist Ruben Salazar, killed by Los Angeles police in 1970, and other
Chicano movement activists of the 1960s and 1970s. A sign plastered on a center wall proclaimed, “Displace NAFTA, Not People.”
Seated next to a striking metal sculpture, El Paso-Ciudad Juarez artist “Conce” answered questions about a work that she assembled from scissors,
forks and other kitchen utensils in honor the femicide victims of northern Mexico.
“It touches our hearts that so many innocent women have died,” the border artist declared.
At one end of the sprawling Centro Mayapan, a large exhibit relived the history of the braceros, Mexican guestworkers who labored on US farms and
railroads from 1942 to 1964. Sponsored by El Paso’s Bracero Project, the exhibit included a short film, huge historical photos of the braceros, old
employment contracts, and a model home that resembled the cramped quarters where many braceros were housed during their U.S. work contracts.
An altar was dedicated to a young Chihuahua City bracero who died while working in El Norte.
Javier Perez, a staff member of the Border Agricultural Workers Center, said many youths went through the exhibit amazed to find out that braceros
once earned fifty cents an hour.
“They realize the injustices, and they ask about the current conditions of the farm workers," Perez said. “Unfortunately, the situation hasn’t improved
very much because agricultural workers continue being the lowest paid ones in this country.”
Honoring migrant workers and celebrating the Day of the Dead are crucial matters for Mexicans residing in the U.S., Perez contended. “It’s very
important for us to not lose the culture to which we belong, and which motivates us to keep living,” the labor activist added.
In addition to the large event at Centro Mayapan, El Pasoans celebrated the first weekend of November with Day of the Dead parties, poetry readings
and, of course, numerous altars. The local Mexican consulate dedicated an altar in remembrance of Carlos Marin and Arturo Herrera, the U.S. and
Mexican commissioners, respectively, of the International Boundary and Water Commission who were killed in a plane crash near Presidio-Ojinaga
this year.
According to the Ciudad Juarez daily Norte, nearly 1,000 people attended an outdoor mass Nov. 2 at the border fence between Anapra, Mexico, and
Sunland Park, N.M. Held every year for the Day of the Dead, the mass remembers the more than 4,000 migrants who have perished attempting to
cross the border during the last 15 years.
Other regional activities included altar installations and a procession in the historic town of Mesilla, N.M., just outside Las Cruces.
15
Understanding by Design Unit Plan: Dia de los Muertos
Day of the Dead celebrations have moved north from Mexico to the borderlands and to points beyond in recent years. Activities now occur
throughout the United States. In Albuquerque, for instance, more than 2,000 people participated in the Duke City’s 16th annual Marigold Parade and
Fiesta, according to organizers.
Led by floats carrying political and social messages, celebrants dressed or painted like skeletons danced through Albuquerque’s South Valley Nov. 2
before arriving at a community center for musical presentations, food and arts and crafts displays with Day of the Dead images.
Organized by the Cambio and La Raza Unida Party activist groups, this year’s Marigold Parade was dubbed “The Recession Procession” in
recognition of the economic crisis, said event organizer Vicente Quevedo.
A flyer distributed by sponsoring groups proclaimed “Death to the Corporations” and called for a community-based economy as an alternative to the
“corporate gluttony that has privatized war, water and air and threatens to devour us all.” Jangling to the incessant beat of drums and the insistent
notes of a saxophone, one “skeleton” hoisted a sign that simply read, “Bail Out the Dead.”
Quevedo said organizers realize the growing mass appeal of their event, but are determined to keep the Marigold Parade a community-based,
grassroots celebration that eschews outside appropriation or commercialism.
“It’s something we talk about on a regular basis, (which) is who controls the planning of the event,” Quevedo said, “because if that goes away it will
look like a very different event.”
The 2008 Marigold Parade and Fiesta received coverage in New Mexico’s largest daily, but the Albuquerque Journal did not mention the sassy anticorporate tone of the festivity.
Although the Day of Dead originated in Mexico and Central America, celebrations on the U.S. side of the border are steadily attracting participants
from many different ethnic groups. El Paso native Esteban Estrada, who helped his mother Griselda Flores staff an altar at Centro Mayapan, moved
back to the Paso del Norte three years ago after a long stint in Los Angeles. While residing in the City of the Angels, Estrada watched the Day of the
Dead become a big deal.
In Estrada’s view, the Day of the Dead helps fill spiritual and scientific voids that afflict contemporary society. “For some reason, we are going back
to our ancient roots and reaching for something more than this Western society has given us,” Estrada mused.
***
Kent Paterson writes for Frontera NorteSur (FNS): on-line, U.S.-Mexico border news Center for Latin American and Border Studies New Mexico
State University Las Cruces, New Mexico
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Understanding by Design Unit Plan: Dia de los Muertos
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