SoniaSonia

Remembering the dead in a Mexican tradition

By Gurpreet Kaur and Ramandip Kaur

Her Life• Sonia Maria Teresa Cortez Poncho is

remembered today for her ethic fusion dancing skills.

• When she graduated from High School she got a scholarship to Darmouth Fancy Dancing.

• She excelled in her dancing skills and started a new movement of dancing which is named after her still in D.F.D. (don't fear death).

• One unfortunate night after her performance on Halloween she went to stay in old "haunted" house. It was known as the Dark Mark Place. Sonia didn't believe in haunted stories so she was dared to sleep in the DMP.

• They found her body in the living room cold and dead. Her death still remains a mystery. Her legacy still remains in DFD with her dance.

Remembrance

• As she is from Mexican origin we are making an altar as a tribute to her.  

• As a altar for the late Sonia Maria Teresa Cortez Poncho we are using many of her favorite things mixed with ethnic mexican rituals.

• But first one must understand the background of dia de los muertos.

Dias De Los Muertos• Dia de los muertos is a indo-

Hispanic custom which gives respect and shows love to ancestors.

• Death is also seen in a more humouros way then in other cultures.The original celebration can be traced to the festivities of the Aztec. 

• Muertos represents the spirit, which lives on.

• Skeletal images are often happy and humorous, very life like, unlike the frightening images of Halloween that commercialism has created.

• Thus we will represent Sonia Maria Teresa Cortez Poncho in a skeleton with her favorite green dress.

The Altar• The altar which can also be

called "ofrenda" is one of the main things of Dia de los muertos.

• It is generally constructed in the home, but could also be at the gravesite or even at a business establishment

• The altar should be placed on a straw mat on the floor or on a table. 

• The altar should be placed on a straw mat on the floor or on a table. 

Altar con’t

• The altar consist for four levels and four sides, representing the four stages of life, the four points of the earth, the four seasons, and the four mathematical points upon which the pyramids were built.

• Bases upon these four points the following items are used. The four principle seeds used by the Aztecs were: tomatilla, cacao, chile,and corn. 

• The four elements of life: water (the conch shell), fire (candles),earth,and wind (flute and conch shell). 

• The four stages of life are also represented in the four stages of corn: the seed,fresh corn,dry corn, and the corn used in different foods: tortillas, tamales,and atole.

Altar for Sonia

• For Sonia we will use the four levels and four sides, representing the four stages of life, the four points of the earth, the four seasons, and the four mathematical points upon which the pyramids were built.

• decorate it with little dancing figurines and her pictures.

• altar will be displayed on Olvera street for the celebration of dia de los muertos.

Easy facts to remember

• Dia de los muertos is a day to remember the dead • In Mexico this day is set aside for the remembrance of those who have

passed away • Families prepare special offerings at lively reunions • Family members decorate an altar in honor of the deceased relatives with

papal picado, candles, flowers and photographs • The special flower of this holiday is the Marigold • The spirits of the dead are expected to visit home on this day • Tombs are given a fresh coat of paint and the graves are decorated with a

Cross of Marigold petals according to local custom • This day is also celebrated with all-night candlelight vigils in cemeteries with

many prayers said, especially the Rosary • There is a special bread that is also made on this day. It is called Pan de

Muerto, The Dead Man's Bread. It consists of flour, sugar, butter, yeast, warm milk, eggs, lard, cinnamon and vanilla extract. It takes about 2 hours to make. The bread is then usually placed by the tombs or on the altar of the dead as a present.

Bibliography

• Griffin, Robert H., and Ann H. Shurgin. "Halloween and Festivals of the Dead." World Holidays. UXL, 2000 ed.

• http://olvera-street.com/html/dia_de_los_muertos.html• http://www.mexonline.com/dayofthedead.htm• http://saber.net/%7Eswells/now/• http://www.azcentral.com/ent/dead/• http://www.public.iastate.edu/~rjsalvad/scmfaq/

muertos.html