Ghosts and Ghouls - Stage 5 Comp - Death Celebrations - Comprehension Pack.pdf

STAGE 5 Unit focus: Ghosts And Ghouls Text focus: Information Text Death Celebrations Death is something to be celebrated in many cultures. They don’t think of the spirits of their lov...

STAGE 5 Unit focus: Ghosts And Ghouls Text focus: Information Text Death Celebrations Death is something to be celebrated in many cultures. They don’t think of the spirits of their loved ones as spooky or something to be scared of; instead, they revel in talking about them and bringing them back to life through their memories. These are just some of the celebrations that take place around the world. Dia de Muertos - Mexico The Day of the Dead is a world-famous Mexican celebration. It is celebrated on November 1st and 2nd, immediately after Halloween. Families welcome back the spirits of their loved ones and drink and eat in their memory. There is a strong belief in Mexico that the gates to heaven open at midnight on October 31st, and the souls of lost children can reunite with their families. November 1st is spent celebrating and remembering children who have passed away in the family. At midnight on the 1st, the souls of adults are allowed to pass through, and so November 2nd is given over to celebrate their memories. Rather than being a sad couple of days, they are filled with music, food, drink and laughter. It is considered a happy time where all of the good things can be remembered. Many families eat their loved one’s favourite foods. Parades take place in towns and villages filled with colourful skeletons. Fantasy Coffins - Ghana This is a more modern tradition that dates back around fifty years. In Ghana, people have begun to celebrate the lives of their loved ones with detailed and elaborate coffins. These are usually designed to celebrate the profession or hobbies of the loved one. They might be in the shape of an aeroplane for a pilot or a car for a taxi driver. A Some prefer coffins shaped to represent the personality of their family ding ro Rea und all resources ©2024 Literacy Shed e um C u r r ic ul Th http://www.literacyshedplus.com member. Owl-shaped coffins are popular with people who were wise, whilst lions are for those who were strong leaders. There are no rules, though, and the family can choose whichever design they think best represents the deceased. Famadihana - Madagascar Rather than occurring every year, Famadihana is celebrated every five to seven years. It is known as the Turning of the Bones - for reasons that will become clear. During the celebration, people collect the bodies of their loved ones from their crypts and take them back home. There, they unwrap the bodies and clean the bones. They are then rewrapped in new linen. Returning the body to the crypt isn’t done without ceremony. They play music and dance with the bodies carried over their heads. They circle the crypt before eventually laying the body to rest. It is seen as a way of continuing to look after their family members even in death. The tradition goes back to at least the 17th century. However, it is becoming less common. The traditional silk shrouds are much more expensive now, and the ceremony has been linked to the spread of diseases. RETRIEVAL FOCUS 1. Where is Famadihana celebrated? 2. Where might you get given a coffin related to your life? 3. How often is Dia de Muertos celebrated? 4. When do the souls of children traditionally visit family in Mexico? 5. What is another name for Famadihana? VIPERS QUESTIONS S Why is Famadihana in decline? V Which word in the first paragraph means “take pleasure in” or “enjoy”? V Write another word for “elaborate” that would work in the Fantasy Coffins section. I What evidence is there that Dia de Muertos isn’t a sad celebration? P Which celebration would you most like to witness and why? all resources ©2024 Literacy Shed http://www.literacyshedplus.com