Francis Olave Research Proposal 1.

My inquiry question: Why has the celebration of the Day of the Dead changed overtime to new generations? 2. My primary purpose: In order to research my question I need to know what they Day of the Dead is. How is this celebration celebrated in Mexico vs. the United States? Is it different from the West side of the States vs. the East side of the States? How have people responded to this change overtime from one generation to another one? Why would there need to be a call for change? How has the history changed overtime? Is the celebration celebrated differently from the older generation then the new generation? What are some of the traditions? How have these traditions have changed? Are these traditions celebrated different in Latin American countries then in the Unites States? When was the first time it was ever celebrated? How does the meaning of Day of the Dead changed from older generation to newer generation? 3. My starting point: The Day of the Dead was a topic I already knew about. I have seen this celebration celebrated at my church every year since I have been a little girl. My family did not always participate in it but we always attended the celebration. This celebration focuses on the gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and families who have died. This celebration is mainly celebrated in Mexico but also throughout different cultures. The celebration is very important to people of Mexico especially those of the older generation. In order to answer my question I would have to find out why there has been a change from the older generation to the new generation and what made these changes happen? I have always loved

attending the celebrations and I think learning more about it and being able to share with my classmates who have no idea about another culture will be eye opening to them. 4. My Working Knowledge: Finding information is pretty easy for this topic on some parts. One source that has helped me start on this topic is a book called Day of the Dead in the USA: The Migration and Transformation of a Cultural Phenomenon by Regina Marchi. It is very detailed on the information about Day of the Dead and how it is celebrated here in the States but also Mexico. Another important thing mentioned in this book is the history of the Day of the Dead. This celebration started in the Pre-Hispanic cultures of Meso-America of the indigenous people such as the Aztecs, Mayans, Toltecas, and other natives to Mexico. After the Spanish conquered, this indigenous tradition was rooted so extremely that, after five centuries of colonization, it has still continued and is remained to be celebrated as in the first days but there are some things that have changed overtime. This celebration is a time when family members share all the unforgettable stories that induce the lives of their ancestors. It is important to know how it all started and how it is different now especially the change in the new generation. Another source which I have found is an article called, Xantolo: the Day of the Dead Celebration in the Huaxteca Region of Mexico by S. Chapa. In this article it is mentioned how this celebration is celebrated in Mexico versus as in the United States. Also the traditions in this celebration like making specific food, flowers, and the way they set up the altar, which is the place where all the things are put on. These offerings and altars that are created to welcome and honor the dead. I know that interviews do not count as one of the five sources but I did one. It is very interesting on how an older person has a different view on the Day of the Dead than a younger person. How their reactions to this change can affect them also.

I really enjoy this topic. I think that it is very interesting to learn about other cultures and their traditions besides mines. We do celebrate Day of the Dead, but it is not as big as it is in Mexico. There is so much information on this topic in which I can learn more about. I think that I can narrow my question down a little more, by focusing on more of how the history has changed over time and how it has changed from one generation to another one instead of focusing on how it is celebrated different in different parts of the States.