• alabanza
  Catholic hymn of praise.

• calaca
  In Mexico it refers to the Grim Reaper, a skeleton figure representing death.

• calavera
  Literally, skull; (1)imaginary and satirical obituaries which appear in newspapers; (2)satirical verses.

• calaverada
  Tomfoolery; wild behavior.

• calaverear
  From skull, meaning to live it up or act recklessly.

• cempazuchitl
  Yellow marigold which symbolizes death; also called zempasuciti..

• El Dia de Difuntos
  Used synonymously with Dia de los Muertos.

• hojaldra
  Sweet bread made for the Festival of the Dead.

• los angelitos
  Young children who have died and who are remembered on the feast of All Saints' Day.

• la Noche de Duelo
  "The Night of Mourning", the beginning of Dia de los Muertos in Mexico, where there is a candlelight procession to the cemetery, in which friends and relatives bring food and flowers, have a meal there, and decorate an altar to the deceased.

• ofrenda
  Offerings set out for the returning souls during All Saints' and All Souls' Days; it also often refers to the actual altar with offerings.

• pan de los Muertos
  "Bread of the Dead"; slightly sweet bread loaf, with coils of dough depicting bones or skulls baked on top.

• rosquete
  Sweet bread made for the Festival of the Dead.

• Todos Santos
  All Saints'Day.

• zenpasuchitl
  A type of marigold, bright orange and yellow, that is the traditional flower of the dead. Also cempasuichil.

  ---

  Sources

  Carmichael, Elizabeth, and Chloe Sayer. The Skeleton at the Feast: The Day of the Dead in Mexico. Austin: U of Texas Pr, 1992. Boeckmann Center GT4995.A4C37 1992

  Mueller, Peggy, ed. Los Dias de los Muertos=The Days of the Dead. Wellesley: World Eagle, 1991.
  Boeckmann Center GT4995.A4L36 1991

---

Univ. Library | About the Lib. | Libs. and Depts. | Elec. Resources | Pathways | Showcase

---