Artist in the Community program

Mexican Traditions
The Artist in the Community Program is available to elementary and middle schools in the Sacramento area community and consists of a bilingual story teller using power point presentations describing one of the traditional Mexican dates of celebration/ recognition described below.  It is also available for middle school and high school Spanish classes or other organizations desiring this type of program.  A four week advance notice must be made prior to a presentation.

Please call the MCCNC office at (916) 446-3691 for further details or send your inquiry/request online here.

The following presentations are part of Mexico’s civic history and traditions.
Civic Dates:

FEBRUARY 24TH – MEXICAN FLAG DAY
A very colorful power point presentation which explains and illustrates the significance of the national emblem, its colors and changes that have taken place throughout history.  Colorful flags of Mexico and how they evolved are part of the presentation.

MAY 5TH – CINCO de MAYO
This presentation enlightens us to the true significance of this date.  People confuse this date with Mexican Independence Day (September 16th).  In actuality, on May 5th a battle was fought in the State of Puebla where the Emperor Maximilian and his French monarchy were defeated by President Benito Juarez and his military.

SEPTEMBER 16th – MEXICAN INDEPENDENCE DAY
A very significant and important date in Mexican history.  In the year 1500, Spain conquered Mexico and named it “New Spain”. More than 300 years later on September 16, 1810, a priest named Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla started a revolt against the Spanish. The Spanish were finally defeated in 1821 and now Mexican Independence is celebrated every year to remember the beginning of the struggle for freedom.  Mexican Independence Day is one of the biggest holidays in Mexico. Much like the US holiday of the 4th of July, people celebrate with food, singing, dancing and of course, a day off from school.

DECEMBER 16TH to DECEMBER 24TH – POSADAS
The Posadas are a Christian enactment of Joseph and Mary going to Bethlehem seeking shelter for the birth of Baby Jesus.  Each family from a neighborhood will schedule a night for the Posada to be held at their home, starting on the 16th of December and finishing on the 24th on “Noche Buena”. The neighborhood children and adults request lodging through singing a simple chant.  All carry small lit candles in their hands and four teenagers of about the same height are chosen to carry two small statues of Joseph leading a donkey, which the Virgen Mary is riding sidesaddle. They will ask for lodging in three different houses but only the third one will allow them in. That will be the house that is supposed to have the Posada for that evening.  This traditional procession gives family and friends an opportunity to socialize during the Christmas season.

NOVEMBER 1ST & 2ND - DAY OF THE DEAD “Dia de los Muertos”
Every year, on All Saints Day (11/1) and All Souls Day (11/2), something unique takes place in many areas of Mexico.  Huge quantities of Marigolds are harvested to decorate graves and family altars. This all stems from the ancient indigenous peoples of Mexico (Purepecha, Nahua, Totonac and Otomí) who believed that the souls of the dead return each year to visit with their living relatives - to eat, drink and be merry as they did when they were living.

JANUARY 6TH – THREE WISE MEN “Dia de los Reyes”
In keeping with the Christian belief that the Three Kings visited Bethlehem bearing gifts for the Baby Jesus, many states in Mexico observe this date as the day for children to receive their gifts during the Christmas season as Christ received His.  Additionally, in the afternoon, Mexican families gather to cut the baked bread ring called, “La Rosca”.   Encased in the bread ring is a miniature Baby Jesus.  The person encountering the miniature baby figurine will host “el día de la Candelaria” (Day of the Light) on February 2nd with a dinner of tamales and the taking down of the Nativity.

MEXICAN VOLCANOES – “Popocatepetl & Iztaccihuatl”
Located 45 miles southeast of Mexico City, stand these two great sacred mountains.  In the language of the Aztecs, “Popocatepetl” means “Smoking Mountain”.  It stands 17,833 feet and frequently emits large clouds of smoke.  “Iztaccihuatl” meaning “sleeping or white lady” in Nahuatl, is an extinct volcano is 17,388 feet high.  The two mountain peaks, when viewed from the western side, reflect the shapes of the great warrior Popocatepetl eternally watching over his fair maiden, Iztaccihuatl.  The presentation tells the story of how these regal mountain tops are symbols of a legend that has been told for many centuries.