Día de los Muertos Around the World: A Cross-Cultural Perspective
Use this free educational guide and lesson plan to teach students about Día de los Muertos and other day of the dead celebrations around the world.
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October 25, 2023
Use this free educational guide and lesson plan to teach students about Día de los Muertos and other day of the dead celebrations around the world.
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Día de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead, is one of many rich and vibrant traditions celebrated around the world in which people remember and honor their deceased loved ones, keeping their memories alive through various rituals, customs and symbolic offerings. While the celebration of Día de los Muertos has its roots in indigenous Mexican cultures, it has evolved over time to include elements of Catholicism, coinciding with All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day.
The Day of the Dead and similar traditions are celebrated with different variations and interpretations that reflect diverse cultures across the world. In the United States, for instance, the holiday has gained popularity due to the growing Mexican immigrant communities and the influence of Mexican culture. The film industry has played a significant role in spreading awareness about Día de los Muertos, with movies like "Coco" and "The Book of Life" introducing the holiday to a global audience. These portrayals have helped to highlight the universal themes of remembrance, love and respect for ancestors—themes that are central to the Day of the Dead.
The global celebration serves as a testament to the power of cultural traditions in bringing people together and fostering a sense of shared humanity. In this educational guide and lesson plan, students can learn not only about Día de los Muertos in Mexico but also about other celebrations in Guatemala, China, Ireland and Japan, to help them see the common threads that connect different cultures. Included is an optional research exercise where student groups can research and present on celebrations throughout the world.
I recognize that there is not time for all these videos in a single class period, so I recommend just choosing one, maybe two! For certain videos, I’ve also included times to skip ahead to where applicable.
Introduce students to the holiday, learn about its origins and customs, and see how it’s been propelled into popular culture through its portrayal in film.
Watch this clip from the movie “Coco” about Día de los Muertos. (0:45 seconds)
In China, the Hungry Ghost Festival, also known as the Ghost Festival, is celebrated either on the night of the 14th day, or on the 15th day (depending on where you live in China), of the seventh month of the lunar year, known in the West as August. Introduce students to this celebration and learn about its ancient roots in Buddhism. To save time, start the video at 0:45.
The Festival de Barriletes Gigantes, or Giant Kite Festival, in Guatemala, takes place each year during the Day of the Dead. Introduce students to this variation of the holiday and learn about the cultural significance of designing the kites and about the important cultural values they reflect. To save time, start the video at 2:20.
Did you know that many of the Halloween celebrations we enjoy today in the United States owe their origins to the ancient festival of Samhain celebrated by ancient Celts? Learn more about Samhain and how some of these ancient traditions shaped how we celebrate Halloween in the United States and elsewhere. To save time, start the video at 0:30.
Every summer Portland, Ore., celebrates the Japanese Buddhist custom of Obon honoring the spirits of one’s ancestors. The festival brings together people of all generations to enjoy Japanese music, food and traditional dance.
Assign students to groups. Each group will research Day of the Dead celebrations in different countries and cultures. They should focus on the unique customs, traditions and significance of the celebrations in each culture.
After the research, each group will choose three examples of Day of the Dead celebrations from different parts of the world and prepare a brief presentation about them. The presentation should include the following information for each example:
Groups will then present their findings to the class, showcasing the cultural diversity that surrounds the concept of honoring the dead.
Whether it’s Día de los Muertos in Mexico, the Hungry Ghost Festival in China, the Giant Kite Festival in Guatemala, Samhain in Ireland or the Japanese Obon festival in Portland, the concept of honoring and celebrating ancestral spirits through unique rituals and festivities is one that resonates broadly. What do your students do to honor loved ones and keep their memories alive? Let us know in the comments below!