Guatemala is a nation torn between the past and the future, struggling to enter modern global society while clinging to a tumultuous, yet proud past.\u00a0 Home to volcanoes, colonial architecture, ancient Maya archeological sites, and over 20 modern indigenous languages, it borders Mexico, Belize, and the Caribbean and Pacific Coasts, giving it an incredible range of natural beauty.<\/p>\n
Presentation on the history of Day of the Dead and how it is celebrated in Latin America. Includes images and key concepts to understanding the holiday, characteristics, traditions, rituals, and art, as well as celebrations in Mexico, Guatemala and Bolivia.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Author(s): <\/strong>Avery Dickins de Girón<\/p>\r\n\r\n Grade Levels:<\/strong> 5–8, 9–12<\/p>\r\n\r\n Lesson Plan<\/strong><\/a><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n This guide gives a colorful historical overview of how el Día de los Muertos is celebrated in some Latin American Countries. In the 16th century Spaniards brought the Catholic celebration of Día de los Muertos to Latin America where it mixed with indigenous rituals honoring the dead. Today, people across Latin America honor their dead and celebrate the cycle of life in early November under a variety of names: “Día de los Muertos” (Day of the Dead), “Día de los Todos Santos“ (All Saints Day), “Día de los Difuntos” (Day of the Deceased), and “Día de los Angelitos” (Day of the Little Angels in honor of children who have died).<\/p>\r\n\r\n In general, families begin the morning of November 1 by constructing altars to honor their deceased loved ones. They place photographs and favorite foods of the dead, candles to light the way, incense, and other gifts on the altars. The celebration then shifts to the cemetery where all gather around the graves of relatives. Families carefully clean and sweep the gravesites, and decorate them with colorful adornments, such as streamers, flowers, crosses, candles, and food—all of which serve as offerings to attract and please ancestors. By early afternoon, the cemetery fills with people joyfully celebrating life and death by playing music, dancing, and feasting alongside the spirits of their ancestors.<\/p>\r\n\r\n Check out this guide that covers traditions in Mexico, Guatemala, and Bolivia. Available in English and Spanish.<\/p>\r\n\r\n Author(s):<\/strong> Written by Avery Dickins de Girón with special thanks to Paula Covington, Jennifer Vogt, Marie Martin, Felipe Girón, John Janusek, Ted Fischer, Claire González, Jenni Ohnstad, and Arcelia Vásquez.<\/p>\r\n\r\n Grade Levels:<\/strong> K–4, 5–8, 9–12, College<\/p>\r\n\r\n Lesson Plan<\/strong><\/a><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n This helpful guide gives a colorful historical overview of how el Día de los Muertos is celebrated in some Latin American Countries. The booklet, in Spanish, discusses traditions in Mexico, Guatemala, and Bolivia. Also available in English.<\/p>\r\n\r\n En el siglo XVI los españoles trajeron a Latinoamérica la celebración católica del “Día de los Fieles Difuntos” la cual se mezcló con los rituales indígenas de honrar a los muertos. Hoy en día, a principios de noviembre, mucha gente en toda Latinoamérica honra a sus difuntos y celebra el ciclo de vida con diferentes Generalmente, en la mañana del primero de noviembre las familias comienzan el arreglo de los altares en honor a sus seres queridos fallecidos. Les colocan fotografías, la comida favorita de los difuntos, velas para alumbrarles el camino, incienso y otros regalos. Posteriormente la celebración se traslada hacia el panteón donde las familias se reúnen alrededor de las tumbas de sus parientes, las limpian y las arreglan cuidadosamente con coloridas decoraciones como: adornos de papel, flores, cruces, velas y comida; todo lo cual sirve como ofrenda para atraer y complacer a sus antepasados. Al atardecer el panteón se llena de gente que alegremente celebra la vida y la muerte tocando música, bailando y teniendo un festín junto a los espíritus de sus antepasados.<\/p>\r\n\r\n Author(s):<\/strong> Escrito por Avery Dickins de Girón con especial agradecimiento a Paula Covington, Jennifer Vogt, Marie Martin, Felipe Girón, Ted Fischer, Claire González, Jenni Ohnstad, y Arcelia Vázquez. Traducido por Arcelia Vázquez.<\/p>\r\n\r\n Grade Levels:<\/strong> K–4, 5–8, 9–12, College<\/p>\r\n\r\n Lesson Plan<\/strong><\/a><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n This is a Discussion guide created by CLAS for La Camioneta, a film by Mark Kendall. Includes central themes, context, discussion questions and further explorations for the classroom. <\/p>\r\n\r\n La Camioneta <\/em>is well-suited for use in a variety of settings and is especially recommended for use with: <\/p>\r\n\r\n Central Themes<\/strong> • Anthropology • Arts & arts education • Catholicism & Evangelism • Democracy • Faith and faith-based • Guatemala • Guatemalan culture • Human rights • Immigration & Migration • Institutional impunity • Modern Maya • Public transportation • Social and economic justice<\/p>\r\n\r\n Context:<\/strong> Invervention and immigration; Mobility in Guatemala; Vulnerable Institutions of a Fledgling Democracy, Guatemala and the Modern Maya.<\/p>\r\n\r\n Author(s):<\/strong> CLACX<\/p>\r\n\r\n Grade Levels:<\/strong> 5–8, 9–12<\/p>\r\n\r\n Lesson Plan<\/strong><\/a><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n Corrupción política: una comparación entre Guatemala y Brasil<\/p>\r\n\r\n Subject Area: <\/strong>Spanish, AP Spanish<\/p>\r\n\r\n Grade Level:<\/strong> High School<\/p>\r\n\r\n The goal of this lesson is to discuss the topic of political corruption in Latin America, specifically in Guatemala with a comparison to Brazil.<\/p>\r\n\r\n Essential Question:<\/strong> How have communitites been affected by social and political challeges and their resolutions?<\/p>\r\n\r\n Author(s):<\/strong> Andrea Beebe López<\/p>\r\n\r\n Grade Levels:<\/strong> 9–12<\/p>\r\n\r\n Lesson Plan<\/strong><\/a><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n These resources were created as a companion to The Amazing Twins: Ancient Maya Tales from the Popol Wuj<\/em>, a puppet show created by Vanderbilt CLAS and the Nashville Public Library. The show follows the adventures of twin gods Junajpu and X'balanke, whose triumphs against powerful forces make way for the creation of man from corn. Written in the Western Highlands of Guatemala around 1550 and translated into Spanish in the 18th century by Friar Francisco Ximenez, the Popol Wuj<\/em> is one of the most important indigenous texts of the New World. This collection of myths and legends was most likely written by members of the K'iche' Maya, who dominated the Western Highlands at the time of the Spanish conquets.<\/p>\r\n\r\n This discussion guide includes:<\/p>\r\n\r\n Author(s):<\/strong> CLACX and Nashville Public Library<\/p>\r\n\r\n Grade Levels:<\/strong> K–4, 5–8, 9–12<\/p>\r\n\r\n Lesson Plan<\/strong><\/a><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n This is a presentation that was given during the CLAS Summer Institute onArchaeoastronomy in 2009. It provides an explanation of Maya Mathematical Systems. <\/p>\r\n\r\n Author(s):<\/strong> Bauer<\/p>\r\n\r\n Grade Levels:<\/strong> 9–12, College<\/p>\r\n\r\n Workshop Presentation<\/strong><\/a><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n This power point presentation (in PDF form) was developed by Dr. Avery Dickins de Girón for the 2017 el Día de los Muertos teacher workshop, "Día de los Muertos: Traditions and Celebrations Across Latin America." The presentation highlights traditions of fiambre, barriletes, and other unique aspects of the holiday in Guatemala.<\/p>\r\n\r\n Author(s): <\/strong>Dr. Avery Dickins de Girón<\/p>\r\n\r\n Grade Levels:<\/strong> K–4, 5–8, 9–12, College<\/p>\r\n\r\n Workshop Presentation<\/strong><\/a><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/i>El D\u00eda de los Muertos - History and Customs (English)<\/a><\/h4><\/div>
<\/i>El D\u00eda de los Muertos Historia y Costumbres (Spanish)<\/a><\/h4><\/div>
\r\nnombres: “Día de Muertos,” “Día de Todos los Santos,“ “Día de los Difuntos,” y “Día de los Angelitos” en honor de los niños fallecidos.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/i>La Camioneta Film Discussion Guide<\/a><\/h4><\/div>
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<\/i>Political Corruption: A Comparison between Guatemala and Brazil<\/a><\/h4><\/div>
<\/i>The Amazing Twins: Ancient Maya Tales from the Popol Wuj<\/a><\/h4><\/div>
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Workshop Presentations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n
<\/i>Calendar and Math<\/a><\/h4><\/div>
<\/i>D\u00eda de los Muertos Celebrations in Guatemala<\/a><\/h4><\/div>