Arab Law Students Association, ImmigrantsÂ’ Rights Coalition, International Human Rights Law Clinic, Lambda Law Society, Latino/a Law Students Association, and the Center for Human Rights and Humanitarian Law
present
Day of the Dead Celebration
American University Washington College of Law
October 29, 2006-November 5, 2006
José Guadalupe Posada, La Calavera Catrina
El Día de los Muertos or Day of the Dead,
is an ancient Mesoamerican celebration to commemorate the memory of deceased ancestors that is observed on November 1st and 2nd of every year. The traditional mood is much brighter than the morbid American view of death, with an emphasis on honoring the lives of the deceased, and celebrating the continuation of life; the belief is not that death is the end, but rather the beginning of a new stage in life.
The holiday is especially popular in Mexico where it is a national holiday, but it is also celebrated in the Philippines, Brazil, in Mexican-American communities in the United States, and to a lesser extent, in other Latin American countries. Common symbols are the skull or calavera, which celebrants represent in masks, called calacas and foods such as sugar skulls. Other holiday foods include pan de muerto or "bread of the dead", a sweet egg bread made in various shapes. Families usually clean and decorate the graves with ofrendas, or offerings, which often include orange marigold flowers called Flor de Muerto or zempoalxochitl. These flowers are thought to attract souls of the dead to the offerings. Toys are brought for dead children and bottles of tequila, mezcal, pulque or atole for adults. Families will also offer trinkets or the deceased's favorite candies on the grave. Ofrendas are also put in homes, usually with foods such as mole, candied pumpkin, pan de muerto, fruit, and sugar skulls. The ofrendas are left out in the homes as a welcoming gesture for the deceased. Some people believe the spirits of the dead eat the "spiritual essence" of the ofrenda food and pillows and blankets are left out so that the deceased can rest after their long journey.
Preguntas Sin Respuestas (2005)
Wednesday, November 1
12pm – 1:30pm
WCL Rm. 603
On Wednesday, November 1, 2006, the WCL premiere of Preguntas Sin Respuestas, a documentary film about the femicides in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, was screened in room 603 as part of the Day of the Dead celebration. Pan de muerto and hot chocolate were served.
Death on the Border: Mujeres de Juarez and the Wall
Thursday, November 2
5pm - 8pm
WCL Rm. 603
On November 2, the Center co-sponsored a panel discussion and an opportunity to celebrate life and commemorate the people that have passed away as part of the 2006 Day of the Dead celebration. The Center and co-sponsors invited those in the community to add to the community ofrenda/offering by bringing a note or a picture of a loved one that has passed away -- or to bring a favorite food. The panel consisted of Macrina Cardenas de Alarcon from the Mexican Solidarity Network, Jennifer Johnson from the Latin American Working Group, and Maureen Meyer from the Washington Office Latin America, and who discussed the new fence bill, immigrant deaths along the border, and femicide in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico.
Dancers--José Guadalupe Posada
