Smithsonian Dia de los Muertos Festival
A Second Life Experience!
The Smithsonian Latino Center presents a Dia de los Muertos 3D experience in the Smithsonian Latino Virtual Museum (LVM) illustrating customs and beliefs varying from ancient Mesoamerica to those currently practiced in today’s Latino culture.
Join us…in celebrating and exploring Latino cultural heritage through this holiday for honoring the dead and the cycle of life and death. Learn different aspects of Día de los Muertos and how it is celebrated and practiced.
Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a day of celebration for the people of Latin America, particularly in Mexico and Central America, and more recently for Mexican Americans. Rather than grieve over the loss of a beloved family or friend, they choose to commemorate the lives of the dearly departed and welcome the return of their spirits. The history of Day of the Dead is embedded with Pre-Hispanic and Spanish customs. These customs shaped the common elements of traditional Mexican Dia de los Muertos. Today, Day of the Dead has been increasingly popular with Latinos in the United States. Though many of the traditional elements have remained how and where Day of the Dead is celebrated has changed.
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http://slurl.com/secondlife/Smithsonian%20Latino%20Lobby/127/222/35
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Coming Soon!
- Dia de los Muertos schedule of in-world programs and events starting Oct. 30 – Nov.2nd
- Dia de los Muertos community ofrenda in LVM’s Placita area
- Aztec ritual blessing
- Interview and featured concert: Lila Downs
- Dia de los Muertos community ofrenda in Virtual Native Lands in Second Life
- Mayan Crystal Skull installation party (bring your 3D glasses!)
Resources:
The Taking of the Renwick": The Celebration of the Day of the Dead and the Latino Community in Washington, D. C. Author(s): Olivia Cadaval Source: Journal of Folklore Research, Vol. 22, No. 2/3, Folklore and Semiotics (May 1985), pp. 179-193 Published by: Indiana University Press.
The Day of the Dead as an Art Form: The Day of the Dead Enters the U.S. Museum, Gallery and Cultural Center by Olga Ulloa Herrera © October 2009
Featured LVM Day of the Dead Partner_Hollywood Forever Cemetery Presents - 9th Annual DIA DE LOS MUERTOS featuring internationally renowed grammy artist Lila Downs. For more info go to: L.A. Day of the Dead www.LAdayofthedead.com
Featured LVM Day of the Dead Partner Many Mouths One Stomach_The All Souls International Film Festival serves as a forum for people from all cultures to actively explore the phenomena of death through cinema.
Embracing Tradition: Bringing the Dead into Our Lives. Personal Narrative by Maria Miranda Maloney © October 2009
Calavera to Ana Santa by Maria Miranda Maloney © October 2009
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