Monarchs, Dia de los Muertos, and Mexican Tradition

Background
The first monarchs arrive in Michoacan at the same time every fall, by November 1st. People in the region have noticed this since Prehispanic times. In the language of the native Purépecha Indians, the name for the monarch butterfly is the harvester butterfly, a name given because monarchs appear when it's time to harvest the corn. The Mexican holiday Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos) also occurs precisely when the monarchs appear. Traditionally, people believe that the monarchs are the souls of their ancestors, who are returning to Earth for their annual visit.

"On the First of November we remember the souls of our dead children and, on November 2nd, the souls of our adults," explains Estela Romero. "It is also then that the Monarchs traditionally begin to arrive."

Here is a collection of links about the Day of the Dead in Angangueo, and about corn, tortillas, and the growing season in the monarch overwintering area.

Dia de los Muertos

• Estela Romero describes Dia de los Muertos (English/Spanish)
• Ofrendas (Alters) for Dia de los Muertos in Angangueo (English and Spanish)
• Making Pan de de los Muertos with the Moreño Family (slideshow and video)
• Visiting a Cemetery on Dia de los Muertos (slideshow)

Monarchs, Corn and the Growing Season:

• Haciendo tortillas con Maria Luis (Español)
• Making Tortillas With Maria Luis (English)

SIMPLE: For each page: What do you see? What questions do you have?

MORE DETAILED:

Discuss: How do we remember and honor those who have died? Loved ones and national figures? Your experiences (pets, people)? What kinds of activities (e.g., share memories, photos, flowers on graves, other) or symbols? Make a list.

Discuss: Cultures have different ways of viewing death and remembering loved ones who have died. How do Mexicans do this in Day of the Dead celebration? When reading about/observing how they do this, make a list of phrases and pictures that help answer the question.
Students share lists and discuss similarities and differences. Also, What did you see or read that you wonder about?
How do you think it might help people to remember loved ones in this way?

Comparing Day of the Dead with Halloween -
Students may or may not have mentioned Halloween, which occurs at the same time of year. The holiday's historic roots, beliefs, and traditions have given way in this country to a celebration of candy and costumes.
Similarities and differences between our Halloween and the Mexican Day of the Dead celebrations: Columns or Venn diagrams: Symbols associated with each, core beliefs, main activities, foods.
Historical comparisons. Students can use these Web resources to find historical information on Halloween and compare it with what they've learned about Day of the Dead (e.g., Origins/meaning of religious beliefs, costumes, begging for treats).

Point out/discuss seasonal connection: These fall holidays have their early roots in yearly seasonal changes and final harvests. People stockpiled food for cold winter months when the sun set early and rose late, and when nature "died" until its rebirth in the spring. What's happening to daylength during these holidays? Also see seasonal Students

Extension: How Other Cultures Honor the Dead
Discuss the fact that many cultures have traditions for honoring the dead. For instance, in Afghanistan, people prepare and eat the favorite food of the deceased relative once a week for a month after he/she died. Have students conduct research . . .