Mexican Day of the Dead Quiz Newquay Tretherras Academy

What is the Mexican Day of the Dead festival?

• A festival that celebrates the living

• A festival that celebrates the dead

• A festival that celebrates both the living and the dead

• A festival that celebrates the harvest season

Answer explanation

The Mexican Day of the Dead festival is a celebration in Latin America derived from both Catholicism and Aztec rituals, that honors the deceased. The event is marked by families coming together to remember their loved ones who have passed away, making offerings, and creating altars in their homes.

What is the significance of sugar skulls in the Day of the Dead celebrations?

• They are dedicated to a loved one who has passed and represent the sweetness of life

• They represent the sadness of death

• They are used as offerings to the deceased as it is believed this brings them back to life

• They have no cultural significance

Answer explanation

The significance of sugar skulls lies in their symbolism as dedications to loved ones who have passed away. They are not merely ornamental, nor do they represent sadness or a belief in resurrection. Instead, they encapsulate the sweetness of life, reflecting the celebratory nature of the Day of the Dead as a time to remember and honor those who have departed.

The term 'sugar skull' can also be applied to the design of a patterned skull, for example in tattooing

What is the purpose of the Day of the Dead Ofrendas (shrines)?

• To honor and remember deceased family members

• To celebrate the harvest season

• To welcome the spirits of dead children

• To showcase traditional Mexican artwork

Answer explanation

The Day of the Dead Ofrendas are a type of shrine used during the Day of the Dead Festival, that honour and remember deceased family members. They are made by setting up shelves with photos, favorite foods, personal items of the departed, and religious artefacts.

What is the traditional food prepared during the Day of the Dead festival?

• Tacos and burritos

• Pan de muerto and sugar skulls

• Chiles en nogada

• Enchiladas

Answer explanation

Pan de muerto is a type of sweet roll and sugar skulls are decorative sweets. These are distinct to the festival, unlike other Mexican foods like tacos, burritos, chiles en nogada, or enchiladas.

What is the significance of CEMPASUCHIL (marigolds) in the Day of the Dead celebrations?

• They are used as decorations in ofrendas, cemeteries and across the festival

• The colour and fragrance are believed to guide the spirits to their altars

• They represent the fragility of life

• All of the above

Answer explanation

The significance of marigolds in the Day of the Dead celebrations includes all mentioned aspects. They are used to decorate altars, believed to guide spirits to their altars and are used to honor the deceased. Therefore, all of the above options are correct.

What is Papel Picado?

• Traditional Mexican craft involving cutting intricate designs into tissue paper.
• A traditional Mexican game played with paper cutouts.
• A popular Mexican dance involving colorful paper decorations.
• A type of Mexican food made with shredded paper.

Answer explanation

Papel Picado is a traditional Mexican craft. It involves cutting intricate designs into colourful pieces of tissue paper. The technique is used to create banners and bunting during the Day of the Dead festival.

Match the following

• PAN DE MUERTOS

  bread of the dead

• 
• PAPEL PICADO

  traditional cut paper craft

• 
• OFRENDAS

  shrine

• 
• CALAVERAS DE AZUCAR

  sugar skull

• 
• ALEBRIJES

  folk art sculpture

• 

This student has done an excellent job so far, copying a photo (secondary source) of a skull.

How could they refine their work further?

• Add more teeth

• Make the eye sockets bigger

• Add more details and mark-making

• Make everything darker

You have created 3 outcomes for your Day of the Dead Art project:

1. 1 Title page

2 Skull drawing

3 Monoprint

Which has been your favourite and why?