Presented by Dr. Roy E. Howard, Western New Mexico University Gallup Graduate Studies Center

Noviembre Information by Cantos Para Todos

Presented by Dr. Roy E. Howard, Western New Mexico University, Gallup Graduate Studies Center
The Cycle of Life

Cultures all over the world celebrate the harvest season with special events. Halloween and Día de los Muertos are days for remembering our traditions, our ancestors, and for giving gratitude for another good year of life.
Prehispanic Tradition
There is evidence of a tradition of honoring the dead as far back as 1800 B.C., including offerings with clay pots for food, gold jewelry, jade, etc. The Nahua people believed that this hard life was only part of the existence of a person. Dying is really waking up from a dream about mortality. The crops were a model for the cycle of life.
Spanish Tradition
In Spain, November has long been "the month of the spirits", for remembering those who have died.
Northern Europe
In the ancient British Isles, they built a grand community bonfire with brands from each home, with which they lit a new home fire to start the new year. The people wore costumes and decorated with fall leaves, wheat cobs, squash. The Romans introduced apples as part of the festival. In the VIIth Century, the Pope declared the 1st of November as a celebration for all of the saints and martyrs, and the 2nd to remember the rest of those who had died. In the 14th to the 16th Centuries, Death was a common theme for poetry, theater and paintings.
Halloween
The Celtic festival of the lights used a carved turnip, which became our Jack-o-lantern. We use the pumpkin, our tradition, representing our harvest. The ancient Romans bobbed for apples to insure good luck for the coming year. The Europeans gave food to beggars, left lights on all night, and decorated with food. We trick or treat, light the jack-o-lantern, and decorate with corn stalks to represent our gratitude for the harvest.

 

Article about the presentations | Teacher Development in ESL Indian Education |  September | October  |  November |   | November  | December  | January -February  | March -M ay  |

Presented by Dr. Roy E. Howard, Western New Mexico University Gallup Graduate Studies Center