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About The Clackamas print. (Oregon City, Oregon) 1989-2019 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 3, 2004)
tht LACKAM A Vrinfi ature Hebrating life through Day of the Dead November 3, 2004 k into the nic holiday ie Muertos, a 0 honor loved fone but not tten a Martinez tckamas Print s than 500 years ago, I? Spanish conquistadors a what is now Mexico, ¡ountered natives prac- s ritual that seemed to ath. i a ritual the indigenous tad been! practicing for ■ 3,000 years in which ored those gone but not li. Dia de Muertos is a p the ancient and mod em embrace in Latin culture. It is called All Souls’ Day in English, but it is translated liter ally as “Day of the Dead.” It is celebrated on Nov. 2 and, despite the name, there is noth ing morbid or sad about it. It is a happy day of celebration and remembrance of the departed. El Dia de Muertos has evolved in Mexico and other Central American countries to include visits to graveyards, where families spruce up sites of deceased loved ones. Revelers construct ofrendas, the offerings made to deceased loved ones. The spirits may not partake of the altar’s many Confections, but there are plenty of those not among the life-disenfranchised more than happy to devour the candy skulls, sugar skeletons and sweet pan de muerto (bread of the dead). In order to celebrate this day, They reflect their fear by mock Mexicans build magical altars ing and living alongside death. that symbolize the loving dia Living alongside death means logue between death and life. that Mexicans have to learn to The authenticity of this dia accept it within their lives. logue is represented through the Death is apparent in every ofrenda: food, cempazuchitl day life. It is in art and even in (yellow marigolds), water, children’s toys. It is not respect papel pieado (colored-paper ed as. it is in other cultures. designs), velas (candles), copal Children play al funeral with (incense), and petates (a deco toys that are made to represent rative rug woven with dried coffins and undertakers. leaves). Other items such as Death is laughed at in its calaveritas de azucar (sugar face. Many euphemisms are skulls), ojaldras (bread), tequi used for death: la calaca (the la (liquors), cigarettes, photo skeleton), la pelona (baldy), la graphs, money, toys, Los santi- flaca (skinny), and la huesada tos (saints) and other gifts, (bony). There are refrains, say which individuals have cher ings and poems that are popular ished during their lifetime, find with the day of the dead. These their place in the ofrenda. sayings are burlas and lose Mexicans react to death with mourning along with happiness and joy. They look at death with GEORGE FOX the same fear as any other cul ture, but there is a difference. meaning when translated. For example “La muerte es flaca y no puede conmigo” means “Death is skinny/weak and she can’t carry me.” Calaveras (skulls) are deco rated with bright colors with the name of the departed inscribed on the head. Children carrying cempazuchitl enjoy the processions to the cemetery. At the cemetery, music is played and dances are made to honor the spirits. This is a huge celebration that every year helps us remem ber our people, our traditions and our lives. It doesn’t matter where it is, Latin people are going to be there to share their traditions with the world. UNIVERSITY Finish Your College Degree Bachelor's degrees for working adults • 16-month degree-completion programs • Multiple bachelor's degree options • Class one night a week • Credit for life experience Information meetings at 6:30 p.m. October 26, November 3 and 8 Portland Center 12753 S.W. 68th Ave., Portland October 27, November 10 Salem Center 2600 Pringle Rd. S.E., Salem George Fox University is ranked by U.S. News & World Report as a top-tier regional university based on academic reputation and overall best value Norma Martinez Clackamas Print ic students at Portland Community College celebrated and shared the »n of Dia de Muertos with their kids and teachers last Monday. 888-888-01 78, • W5VW.GEORGEFOX.EDU Community Federal Credit Union ■ Clackamas Community Federal Credit Uniotr is a not-for linstitutlon that provides a wide range of products an r Free checking Ute o«r ATM: * Free online banking lô-cateçl in. Trent of the ** Great loan rates Commons. r Direct deposit ** 24/7 access; ■ If you live, work, worship, or attend school in Clackamas County, ^^you^can join.; Located in Milwaukie, Oregon City? and Canby. ' www.clackamasfcu.org • (503) 656-0671 • (800) 878-0671
