Professor Vialla Hartfield-Mendez, from the Spanish and Portugese Department, and her students bring cultural education, activities, and festivities to Cary Reynolds each year in the Mexican celebration of ancestors, Dia des los Muertos. An Aztech tradition, Dia des los Muertos has evolved over time as this pagan tradition merged with Christian traditions. For example, this celebration that is based more on remembrance of the dead rather than greivance changed its date to coincide with All Saints Day. Traditionally, families visit the tombs of their ancestors and create altars with candles, food, drink, and favorite things for the dead. On this day, the spirits of the dead are able to come back from beyond to visit if the living show them the way with petals of the cempazúchitl (an orange marigold flower), pointing in the direction from the grave to the house.
Emory celebrates "Day of the Dead" with the students of Cary Reynolds Elementary School
Together, Cary Reynolds and Emory students created and decorated an altar with paper dolls and flowers they made to honor the dead. They ate traditional foods, such as Pan de Muertos (Bread of the Dead). They watched a short video of children in Mexico celebrating Dia des los Muertos to understand the tradition. Emory students also led a storytelling of Dia des los Muertos.
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The students sang traditional songs, clapped and danced to celebrate ancestors.
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Principle Melanie Bilda joined her students in the celebrations.
If you are interested in joining next year's celebration of Dia des los Muertos, contact Alta Schwartz at afschwa@emory.edu.