Term 4, Week 3: Hallowe'en and Día de los Muertos

This is the link to The Nutcracker ballet  that the junior classes have been watching at the beginning of lessons.  Look at how the dancers tell a story without using words. How do the dancers show they are talking to other people? 

A scene from The Nutcracker

 Hallowe'en

There are many stories about the origins of Halloween, from the area which is now Ireland, United Kingdom and northern France. Over two thousand or more years, the occasion changed from a pagan ritual to a day of fun, dressing up, parties, decorations and sweet treats for children.

Halloween has evolved  from an ancient Celtic  festival (Samhain, pronounced sow-in) which marked the end of the harvest season (autumn) and the beginning of the long, dark , cold winter season. This was on October 31st,  and on November 1st they celebrated their new year. They also believed that the change of seasons was a bridge to the world of the dead. Celts believed that on the eve of the new year, the ghosts of the dead returned to earth.  There were bonfires and celebrations. When the Romans conquered most of the Celtic lands, they  included some of their traditions in the festival

In the 8th century (700s), Pope Gregory III decided that all saints and martyrs would be honoured on November 1st.  It would be called All Saints' Day and  would include some of the traditions of the Celtic Samhain festival. The night before All Saints' Day was called "All Hallow's Eve" and eventually shortened to Hallowe'en" (e'en short for evening).

In 1000AD, the church made November 2nd All Souls' Day - to honour all dead and the was also celebrated with festivities. 

Over time, the the festival changed from a religious festival to a community celebration and involved children dressing up and trick-or-treating.

Hallowe'en celebrations  evolved further in America as immigrants brought their traditions and festivals with them to their new country. It changed into a community event and lost any of its connections with religion. Further over time, and with commercialism and advertising, it has evolved into a huge industry with billions of dollars spent on decorations, costumes, parties and special foods.

Here's an easy dance called The Monster Shuffle.  Follow the words and mirror what the group are dancing. 

This is another dance called the Skeleton Dance . It helps you learn your left and right sides - and the names of your bones.

Día de los Muertos: 
 The Day of the Dead is a holiday celebrated on November 1st (for children)  and 2nd (for adults)  and is recognised throughout Latin America, but especially in Mexico.  Día de los Muertos honours the dead and evolved from a combination of ancient Aztec rituals and the Catholic religion which came with the Spanish conquistadors.

Although it looks similar to Halloween, it is quite different.  It's not about being scary or frightened or tricking people. The festival celebrates  the lives of deceased family members with food, drink, parties, parades and activities the deceased enjoyed when they were alive. It helps keep deceased loved ones part of the community. It is a time for happiness and celebration - not sadness or mourning.

Symbols of the celebration are calacas and calaveras (skeletons and skulls) which can be sweets, masks or dolls. Although they may look scary, they are intended to be happy and having fun.

Families decorate the graves of loved ones, and make ofrendas to honour individual loved ones. These are decorated with flowers, candles, food, photos and other items to remember the person.

                      

Here's a video in Spanish about Día de los Muertos. You may be able to understand some words - especially if you follow the English subtitles.

Here's a short documentary item about Día de los Muertas. You might be able to understand soem of the words spoken by the people being interviewed.

Here's a short movie made especially for people learning about Mexico and its culture.

This video tells you what you need if you were going to celebrate Día de los Muertos.

Here's some skeletons dancing. They may look a bit scary but they are meant to be happy and having a fun time.   El Twist del Esqueleto 

This is a counting song - and telling the time. It's not meant to be scary. Learn to tell the time in Spanish, with dancing skeletons.