Lectura

DÍA DE MUERTOS - MEXICO

Dia de Muertos is a special celebration that's all about life, not death. It's a time when families and friends get together to remember and honor their loved ones who have passed away. People believe that the spirits of the deceased come back to be with their families during this time.

A key part of the celebration is creating 'ofrendas', which are like special altars. Families make these altars in their homes or at the graves of their loved ones. They decorate them with flowers, candles, food, and other things to welcome the spirits of the departed.

You might have seen 'calaveras' or sugar skulls — they're those colorful skulls decorated with icing and other edible stuff. People often give them as gifts or use them to decorate their ofrendas.

Dia de Muertos isn't just celebrated in Mexico; you can find it in other parts of Latin America and even in the United States. It's a time for people of all ages and backgrounds to come together and celebrate life and the memories of their loved ones.

What is the emphasis of Dia de Muertos?

1. El texto declara: 'Dia de Muertos is a special celebration that's all about life, not death.'

Why do families and friends come together during Dia de Muertos?

1. Para recordar y honrar a sus seres queridos fallecidos.

What is the belief about the spirits of the deceased during this time?

1. Se cree que los espíritus de los difuntos regresan para estar con sus familias.

In addition to Mexico, where else is Dia de Muertos celebrated?

1. En otras partes de América Latina y en Estados Unidos.

Speaking (group/class discussion): Get in small groups and talk about the celebrations you just learned. Which one is your favorite? What do you like about it? Discuss: What do celebrations teach us about a culture? Is there any similarity between those celebrations and the ones in our country?

1. Formar grupos de 3-4 estudiantes.
2. Cada estudiante elige su celebración favorita y la justifica.
3. Comparar con celebraciones ecuatorianas (Carnaval, Inti Raymi, Finados, etc.).
4. Compartir conclusiones con toda la clase.

Preguntas abiertas

Respuesta orientativa: Las celebraciones revelan los valores, creencias, historia y vínculos sociales de una cultura.

Respuesta orientativa: Sí; por ejemplo, el Día de Difuntos (Finados) en Ecuador comparte con el Día de Muertos el recuerdo de los seres queridos, las visitas al cementerio y la comida tradicional (colada morada, guaguas de pan).

Diagrama 1

Elementos clave del Día de Muertos

mindmap
  root((Día de Muertos))
    Significado
      Celebra la vida
      Honra a los difuntos
    Ofrendas
      Altares
      Flores
      Velas
      Comida
    Calaveras
      De azúcar
      Decoradas con icing
      Regalos
    Lugares
      México
      América Latina
      Estados Unidos

Glosario

• ofrenda: Altar tradicional mexicano que se monta para honrar a los difuntos durante el Día de Muertos.
• calavera: Cráneo decorativo; en este contexto, calavera de azúcar (sugar skull).
• deceased: Persona fallecida.
• departed: Sinónimo elegante de 'fallecido', 'que ha partido'.
• loved ones: Seres queridos.
• altar: Lugar elevado destinado al culto o memoria.
• icing: Glaseado o cobertura dulce.

Fuentes

• Fuente de la fotografía de la ofrenda.