Tulane University

This fall 2015, the Latin American Resource Center hosts several events to celebrate the Latin American tradition of Day of the Dead. Through a Title VI U.S. Department of Education National Resource Center grant, the Latin American Resource Center at the Stone Center for Latin American Studies at Tulane University, is creating a set of lessons about Day of the Dead traditions across the Americas. The 2014 lesson focused on Haiti, with future lessons to include Guatemala, Peru, and Brazil.

Through these resources and programs, we hope to encourage cross-cultural understanding, expose students to new traditions, and provide a basis for cross-cultural comparisons in an interdisciplinary classroom. The set of lessons being developed can be adapted for use in a variety of classrooms, including the art and social studies classrooms.

This year, we focus on the Day of the Dead as it is celebrated in Guatemala. Come on out to one of our events to learn more about the tradition and/or check out some of our resources.

EDUCATOR WORKSHOPS

• Deconstructing Día de los Muertos in the Classroom
  Wednesday, October 7
  5:30 – 8:30
  Ogden Museum of Southern Art
  This introductory workshop is developed for any educator interested in bringing the tradition of Day of the Dead into their classroom. The workshop will highlight art activities and learn the role of the altar.

• Day of the Dead Traditions of Guatemala K-16 Educator Workshop
  Thursday, October 15
  5:00 – 6:45
  Algiers Regional Public Library
  Day of the Dead is often perceived as a tradition symbolized by Katrina skeletons, pan de muertos, papel picado, and altars constructed during November 1 -3. This workshop is developed through a U.S. Department of Education National Resource Center grant to help celebrated the diversity of this tradition across Latin America. Specialists from Guatemala and Anthropologists from Tulane University will share the rich history of the tradition across the Americas highlighting the tradition in Guatemala. Scholars and artists from Guatemala will present the differences and similarities of this tradition with the one celebrated in Mexico. Participants will learn about the importance of kites and food in the celebration of the dead in Guatemala. Register Here

COMMUNITY PROGRAMS/ALTARS

• Ogden Museum of Southern Art Altar – Altar up through November 17, 2015
• Algiers Regional Public Library Altar – Altar in honor of writer Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Altar up through mid-November 2015
• Fall Kite Festival featuring Guatemalan kite maker, Kawoq at the Algiers Regional Public Library – Saturday, October 24th 1:30 – 3:30 PM.
• Middle American Research Institute Altar – Altar up through mid-November 2015
• Latin American Library Altar – Altar up from October 26 – November 3

RESOURCES on Day of the Dead:

• Día de los muertos Across the Americas
• Américas Award children’s & young adult literature
• LARC Lending Library Resources
• Pan de Muertos recipe
• Day of the Dead in New Orleans Audio Podcast
• LARC’s Day of the Dead Pinterest board
• Other Resources