Special Programs - Day of the Dead Spanish Language & Culture Program
October 26th to November 6th, 2009

Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is the most time-honored and expressive holiday of Oaxaca. It is an example of the harmonious relationship between Christianity and the prehistoric traditions found in the state of Oaxaca. Although Dia de los Muertos is recognized in all of Mexico, Oaxaca has become known for its traditionally rich celebrations to honor the return of their dead on November 1st and 2nd.

During the last week of October and the first week of November, the Instituto Cultural Oaxaca holds a Day of the Dead program, similar to the main program that consists of 4 hours of Spanish classes in the morning (9:00 AM - 1:00 PM), two hours of workshop from Monday - Thursday (4:00 - 6:00 PM) and an hour of one on one Spanish conversation with a native speaker. These two weeks are distinct because many of the extracurricular activities in the Institute focus on Day of the Dead traditions such as mask making and cooking.

Mask Making Workshop: Students have the opportunity to create and design their own masks or can utilize a more traditional Day of the Dead design. Students get to show off their masks in the comparsa, a parade that takes place around the Instituto at the end of this workshop.

Cooking Workshop: This class differs from the normal cooking class offered at the Instituto because students will learn to make traditional dishes that are specific to the holiday. Typical dishes such as Mole Negro, Champurrado and famous Oaxacan hot chocolate.

Poetry and Conversation Workshop "Conociendo a la Muerte / Getting to Know Death": There is an abundance of rich literature related to this holiday. By focusing on the varied works available, the student will have the opportunity to learn more about Day of the Dead, improve their Spanish, build vocabulary and also analyze poems about Death and the role it has in the culture and traditions of Oaxaca.

Here at the Institute, we have one of the largest and best altars in the City of Oaxaca. Friday the 31st of October, we invite students to join our comparsa (parade) in the streets near the Institute in which we dance to the music of a band. At the end of the comparsa, students return to visit the altar with us and drink chocolate prepared with water and pan de yema.

Please watch the video we created during our last Day of the Dead season:

Day of the Dead in Oaxaca at Instituto Cultural Oaxaca from Carlos Hernandez Topete on Vimeo