This year the San Diego
North Park Craft Mafia has decided to add a new feature to our Sunday Crafty
Sunday Dia de los Muertos Craft Show: altars! For the minimal fee of $10,
you can display a memorial altar to the public during the hours of the Dia de
los Muertos Craft Show. Best of all, your $10 fee will be donated to the
Barrio Logan College Institute.
Why make an altar?
Dia de los Muertos altars are traditionally set up by
families in Mexico to honor family members who have died, although you can
construct an altar to anyone who has departed the earth. Los
Dias de los Muertos is celebrated on November 1 and November 2 each year, and
it is a period of celebration. These altars are typically bright and colorful
and are not designed out of sadness or mourning, but out of joy.
What is an altar for?
What do I need to make
an altar?
A Day of the Dead altar should
include some of the departed’s favorite things plus decorations appropriate to
the holiday, such as Mexican sugar skulls, skeletons, and candles. Other ideas include:
·
Table and or
boxes to create the altar on.
·
A tablecloth to
cover your table and/or boxes.
·
The arch - The arch
represents the passage between life and death. If you can't get sugar cane
stalks, get creative and make your arch out of other materials.
·
A
portrait of the departed- It
can be a painting, a picture, etc.
·
Flowers – zempoaxochitil
(marigolds) are the traditional flower used on the altar.
·
Food and drink.
Traditional meals and favorites of the departed are prepared and placed on the
altar.
·
Pitcher of water
and glass to quench the thirst of
the departed one.
·
Soap, towel, and water – Just in
case the departed wants to wash his/her hands after the long trip and before
he/she eats the delicious food.
There are many great
resources out there to help you plan your altar. Here are a few very
informative websites:
Here is the link to the
Barrio Logan College Institute: http://blci.org/index.php
No comments:
Post a Comment