Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Holiday Importance/Significance
2. What is the common misconception about Cinco de Mayo? Why do you think this exists?
2. What famous celebrities have attended the parade for National Puerto Rican Day?
3. What are some of the customs or traditions associated with this holiday? (Name at least 3!)
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
Discuss some common elements of Mexican holidays. What did you learn about Mexican culture and holidays?
If you could be in Mexico to celebrate one of the holidays, which one would you choose? Why?
Choose one of the holidays and compare it with a holiday celebrated in the United States. How are the two alike?
How are they different? (You may draw a Venn Diagram to organize your thoughts)
HOLIDAY SPOTLIGHT
Choose one holiday from the Spanish-speaking world that you learned about and answer the following questions
in complete sentences on a separate sheet of paper:
• What is the name of the holiday? (Give the Spanish name and the English translation.)
• When is this holiday celebrated?
• Who celebrates this holiday?
• Why does this group celebrate this day?
• What beliefs or values does this holiday reflect?
• How is it celebrated? (Focus on one activity or custom associated with this holiday, such as rituals, food,
costumes, dance, music, or images.)
• Where is this holiday celebrated (in specific regions or across the country)?
CINCO DE MAYO
Origins of Cinco de Mayo
Cinco de Mayo celebrates Mexico's independence, but it is not Mexican
Independence Day. Mexico asserted its independence from Spain on September 16,
1810. The festivities on May 5 are about another battle for independence -- a battle fought
against the French in 1862.
After the 1846 Mexican-American War, in which boundaries were clarified after Texas
became the 28th U.S. state, Mexico entered a period of political and financial hardship. The
Mexican Civil War lasted from 1858 to 1861 and left Mexico without a stable support
structure. Due to its poor economy, Mexico borrowed a great deal of money from other
countries. Among those countries were England, Spain and France. In 1862, all three
European powers came to collect their money. Their navies arrived in Mexico to demand
payment and land to settle the debts, but Mexico offered vouchers instead, essentially
asking for more time. England and Spain accepted and went home; France invaded,
seeking total control of Mexico.
Under Napoleon III, French troops began at the shore and tried to make their way to
Mexico City. Before they could get to the capital, they were stopped at the state of Puebla,
where a major battle took place on May 5, 1862: La Batalla de Puebla. Outnumbered and
outarmed, the Mexican soldiers at Puebla, under the command of General Ignacio
Zaragoza Seguin, managed to defeat the French forces. Ultimately, the Mexican victory at
Puebla only delayed the French invasion of Mexico city, and a year later, the French
occupied Mexico. But the Mexican men who fought at Puebla nonetheless defied the odds
to defend its independence. Cinco de Mayo is a time to recognize the bravery of those
who fight against oppression. Cinco de Mayo celebrates that bravery and
determination, and commemorates Mexico's fight to ward off imperialist forces.
El Día de Los Muertos, which continues until Nov. 2, has become one of the biggest
holidays in Mexico, and celebrations are becoming more common in areas of the United
States with a large Hispanic population. Its origins are distinctly Mexican. Specifics of the
celebration vary with region, but one of the most common customs is the making of
elaborate altars to welcome departed spirits home. Vigils are held, and families often go to
cemeteries to fix up the graves of their departed relatives. Festivities also frequently include
traditional foods such as pan de muerto (bread of the dead), which can conceal a miniature
skeleton. The townspeople dress up as ghouls, ghosts, mummies and skeletons and
parade through the town carrying an open coffin. The "corpse" within smiles as it is carried
through the narrow streets of town. The local vendors toss oranges inside as the
procession makes its way past their markets. Lucky "corpses" can also catch flowers, fruits,
and candies. In the homes families arrange ofrenda's or "altars" with flowers, bread, fruit,
and candy. Pictures of the deceased family members are added. In the late afternoon
special all night burning candles are lit - it is time to remember the departed - the old ones,
their parents and grandparents.
At home, the families prepare ofrendas, altars laden with offerings of food, candles, incense
and flowers for the departed in their families. The next day the families travel to the
cemetery. They arrive with picks and shovels. They also carry flowers, candles, blankets,
and picnic baskets. They have come to clean the graves of their loved ones. The grave
sites are weeded and the dirt raked smooth. The crypts and tombstones are scrubbed and
swept. Colorful flowers, bread, fruit and candles are placed on the graves. Some bring
guitars and radios to listen to. The families will spend the entire night in the cemeteries.
Skeletons and skulls are found everywhere. Chocolate skulls, marzipan coffins, and white
chocolate skeletons. Special loaves of bread are baked, called pan de muertos, and
decorated with bones. Rituals at the cemeteries differ from town to town, but most feature
feasting and mariachi music. After dark in many traditions, solemnity reigns.
The overall tenor of the two days of welcoming the dead is one of happiness. The
dead are seen by the living as playful and happy beings who want to be entertained and
feasted and cherished, and the holiday celebrates life, not death.