Glossary
*Courtesy of the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's Program of Latino History and Culture*
ALFENIQUES
objects such as animals, miniature plates of food, small coffins, or skulls (calaveras) that are skulpted out of sugar and elaborately decorated.
ANTEPASADOS
ancestors; the ones who are given offerings by their families and friends
ATOLE
a hot beverage made with ground corn powder or cornstarch
CALACAS
skulls and skeletons that are shown in a variety of activities
COMPARSA
a group of street performers (dancers, singers, and/or musicians) that participates in Spanish and Latin American carnivals and festivities
CEMPASUCHITL
yellow or orange marigolds, the flower of the dead, used to adorn gaves and altars
MOJIGANGAS
giant puppets made of paper mache
MOLE
a chocolate-based sause made with herbs and spices, usually served on chicken or turkey
OFRENDA
an "offering" or altar where food, candles, flowers, pictures and mementos--things that brought joy to the departed person's life--are placed
PAN DE MUERTO
"bread of the dead," baked into different shapes and placed on the ofrenda
PAPEL PICADO
"punched paper," paper banners decorated with elaborate designs.