Can I teach Day of the Dead at a Christian School?

Can I teach about the Day of the Dead at a Christian school?  Hmmm.  Skeletons, dead people, painted faces, altars, and an association with Halloween, which many Christians consider to be a pagan holiday.  I always steered away from teaching it, but many dedicated Christians do, so I thought I’d better investigate what the celebration was really about.

Not being a native speaker and lacking a deep knowledge of the Latin American and Spanish cultures, I decided to interview native speakers from different countries to find answers.  I wanted to know if the practice of the Day of the Dead conflicted with Christian beliefs.

Here is what I discovered.

Various countries observe the holiday in unique ways and with differing beliefs.  For example, in Mexico, it is celebrated to a greater degree than in other countries, with parties, parades, costumes, decorated altars, and gravesite visitations.

However, in other countries, it is recognized quietly with a simple mass to honor and/or remember loved ones.

In Mexico, many originally believed that their dead loved ones returned to partake in the offerings that were given to them by their family and friends. Even though many no longer believe the dead come back to visit, they still participate in the holiday in order to commemorate their loved ones.

In other countries, there is no such belief, just a desire to demonstrate love and respect for the deceased family members and loved ones.  They believe that the loved ones return in our minds and hearts.

So…. Can I teach about the Day of the Dead at a Christian School?

I can if I:

• Teach it as a cultural practice and belief of certain Spanish-speaking countries in the same manner in which I would teach about the religious beliefs and practices of historical cultures such as the Aztecs, or of other countries, without promoting or personally adhering to the beliefs
• Teach with the understanding that the belief of the deceased returning is a known myth in the same category as Santa Claus
• Compare the beliefs and traditions as practiced in Mexico and other Spanish-speaking countries to those of the Christian faith
• Discuss how, “El Día de los Muertos” is practiced in other Latin American countries besides Mexico
• Show the videos of the interviews of Eduardo (from Mexico), Eduardo, (from Colombia), and Teresa (from Equatorial Guinea) in which they talk about how the celebration is practiced in their countries and whether it does or doesn’t conflict with their Christian beliefs. (Hint, it DOES conflict with the beliefs of Eduardo, the Columbian.) Then, ask the students whether THEY believe the practice of the Day of the Dead conflicts with their beliefs and why.

Click on the link to see the three videos: Day of the Dead Videos

Here is the link to the Day of the Dead PowerPoint and Interactive and Google Drive Activities

If you just want the Google Drive Activities, click here: Day of the Dead Google Drive Activities

(Have you used Google Drive Activities before? If not, here is a FREE Spanish Clothing Google Drive Activities)

If you would like the ENTIRE BUNDLE,

including a craft activity for papel picado, vocabulary, and a detailed description of the holiday in English and Spanish for all levels, click here: Day of the Dead Bundle

I should stop saying that in the next post we will be discussing tal y tal because I keep veering off the topic.  Let’s say, next time we will return to our previously programmed topic of how to get students to speak the target language outside the classroom.  Unless I get sidetracked again. In any case…stay tuned!

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