Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Pan de Muerto y Altars

Blog post by Tina Winterlik © 2012
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Pan de Muerto- Here is the first Pan de Muerto I have ever seen in person. It was made by my dear friend Elia and it was delicious.

Photos by Tina Winterlik © 2012

Photos by Tina Winterlik © 2012

Photos by Tina Winterlik © 2012
From Wikipedia
The pan de muertos (Spanish for Bread of the dead) (also called pan de los muertos) is a type of sweet roll traditionally baked in Mexico during the weeks leading up to the Día de los Muertos, which is celebrated on November 1 and 2. It is a sweetened soft bread shaped like a bun, often decorated with bone-like pieces. Pan de muertos is eaten on Día de los Muertos, at the gravesite or altar of the deceased. In some regions it is eaten for months before the official celebration of Dia de los Muertos. In Oaxaca, pan de muertos is the same bread that is usually baked, with the addition of decorations
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pan_de_muerto


People in Zipolite are starting to build their altars. Here are some of the flowers they will use.
Photos by Tina Winterlik © 2012
From Wikipedia
Some families build altars or small shrines in their homes;[2] these usually have the Christian cross, statues or pictures of the Blessed Virgin Mary, pictures of deceased relatives and other persons, scores of candles and an ofrenda. Traditionally, families spend some time around the altar, praying and telling anecdotes about the deceased. In some locations, celebrants wear shells on their clothing, so when they dance, the noise will wake up the dead; some will also dress up as the deceased.
Public schools at all levels build altars with ofrendas, usually omitting the religious symbols. Government offices usually have at least a small altar, as this holiday is seen as important to the Mexican heritage. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Day_of_the_Dead