Sugar+Skulls

Sugar Skulls
By: Kennedy M.

** How did they start? ** No one really knows for sure who brought the making of the sugar skulls into Day of the Dead. Some though have an idea that the Italian missionaries were the ones that started this tradition in the 17th century. Since Mexico has a vast amount of sugar, they started using this staple to create these decorations because money was limited and they were unable to purchase costly decorations.

** What do they symbolize? ** The sugar skulls are suppose to symobolize the death of a family member, representing a departed soul. The skulls bring back good memories about the deceased person. They are made around the Day of the Dead and play an important role in this holiday.

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** About ** Sugar skulls are also known as calaveras de azucar. They are very easy to be found, mainly in every store. Some even make their own at home! Many are used for decoration and some are even edible. Often competitions are made for the most eccentric or the largest skulls. The sugar skulls also have different genders. The women are usually wearing paper or plastic hats and the men have on either sailor or cowboy hats. The deceased person's name is located on the forehead.

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** Recipe **
 * 2 cups powdered sugar
 * 1 egg white
 * 1 Tbs. corn syrup
 * 1/2 Tsp. vanilla
 * 1/3 cup cornstarch
 * Food coloring
 * 1 fine paintbrush

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**References:** [|www.mexicansugarskull.com] [|www.nacnet.org/assunta/dead.htm] [|www.celebrate-day-of-the-dead.com] [|www.inside-mexico.com/calaveras.htm]