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photos
courtesy of Mary Lou Valencia
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SUGAR
SKULL DECORATING
Candy shaped into a variety
of forms has long been a tradition in Mexican celebration and ceremony.
From the pre-Columbian tradition of amaranth candy dedicated to Huitzilopochli
to marzipan in the shape of foods, fruits and vegetables, to the more
familiar sugar skulls, sweets have always been given as gifts. Traditionally
given as a gift to children to share with the dead, sugar skulls are crafted
of sugar, vanilla and egg whites. Sugar skull workshops allow the attendee
to decorate a skull in memory of someone else or just for yourself.
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photos courtesy
of Mary Lou Valencia
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PAPEL
PICADO--CUT PAPER
The tradition of paper banners
in Mexican culture is one that predates European contact. Originally sheet
of amatl (handmade paper) were splashed with liquid rubber and
dedicated to the rain god, Tlaloc. Paper was also used in certain rituals
to cover the face of the person whose death involved water. The papel
picado workshop uses tissue paper which is cut free form or using patterns.
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MASK MAKING
Masks are used in many ceremonies
around the world, including Muertos ceremonies. Paper mache masks have
been used for centuries during the festivities for Muertos. Xantolo
dancers in Hidalgo dance to entertain those who have divine permission
to return once a year to visit with the relatives. In this workshop,
masks are made using plaster gauze that is fit to the face of the maker
and then decorated.
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PAPER
AND PRINT OFRENDAS
Paper is decorated with tissue
and other colored patterns to create a background. Pictures are added
and words are written to create an ofrenda for the dearly departed. Puppets
are made for the deceased children to play with when they come to visit
us. This workshop teaches you how to use different materials to create
an offering to your loved one.
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BOX ALTARS
Using wooden fruit crates or
other wooden box crates, this workshop focuses on creating an altar within
that box. If you wish to attend this workshop, bring mementos of the deceased
person(s) that can fit into the box; for example, small cars, photos,
toys or icons that remind you of the dead person. We provide the crate
and materials for covering the outside and inside. You fill up the crate
with your ofrendas, pictures and flowers.
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PAN
DE MUERTOS/BREAD FOR THE DEAD
Several days before Días
de Los Muertos, the local panaderias begin making "Dead Bread"
or Pan de Muertos. In this workshop, you learn how to make bread for the
dead, and you get to create the human or angel or other shapes to give
as offering for the souls who return to visit. Usually the bread was shared
by all after sitting on the altar or at the cemetery all night long during
the fiesta. The bread and food was usually eaten before the middle of
the day to make way for the other souls who were coming on that particular
day.
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DÍAS
