This listening activity explores the history and symbolism of La Catrina, one of the most recognisable figures in Mexican culture. The audio explains how La Catrina began as the Calavera Garbancera, a social critique created in the early twentieth century, and how she later became closely connected to Día de Muertos. These tasks are designed for intermediate Spanish learners and focus on key ideas, historical context, and cultural meaning.
Pre-Listening
Think about these questions before listening.
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What images or ideas come to mind when you hear the name La Catrina?
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What do you already know about Día de Muertos in Mexico?
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Look at these words: raíces indígenas, oligarquía, crítica social. What do you think the audio might say about them?
While-Listening
Escucha con atención y responde a las preguntas.
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¿En qué época nació la figura original de La Catrina?
- a) Durante la independencia de México
- b) A principios del siglo XX
- c) En la época colonial
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¿Quién creó la imagen original de la Calavera Garbancera?
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¿Qué criticaba la palabra “garbancera” en ese contexto?
- a) A las personas ricas de Europa
- b) A las personas que valoraban la cultura indígena
- c) A las personas que negaban sus raíces indígenas y querían parecer europeas
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Menciona dos características de la figura original de la Calavera Garbancera.
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¿Qué artista ayudó a transformar la Calavera Garbancera en la Catrina que hoy conocemos?
- a) Frida Kahlo
- b) Diego Rivera
- c) Octavio Paz
Post-Listening
Reflexiona y comenta tus ideas en español.
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¿Por qué crees que La Catrina pasó de ser una crítica social a convertirse en un símbolo del Día de Muertos?
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¿Qué mensaje te parece más importante en la historia de La Catrina: la crítica a negar las raíces culturales o la idea de recordar a los seres queridos? Explica tu opinión.
Key Vocabulary
- calavera: skull
- grabado: engraving or print
- crítica social: social criticism
- raíces indígenas: Indigenous roots
- oligarquía: oligarchy, a system where power is held by a small group
- descontento: dissatisfaction or unrest
- levantamiento: uprising or revolt
- plumas de avestruz: ostrich feathers
- honrar: to honour
- legado: legacy
Answer Key
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b) A principios del siglo XX
The audio places the origin of this figure in early twentieth century Mexico, during a period of major political and social change.
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José Guadalupe Posada
He was the artist behind the original image of the Calavera Garbancera.
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c) A las personas que negaban sus raíces indígenas y querían parecer europeas
The term referred critically to people who rejected their Indigenous heritage and tried to present themselves as European.
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Possible answers: era una figura esquelética; llevaba solo un sombrero francés; el sombrero tenía plumas de avestruz; representaba pobreza y apariencia social.
Any two accurate details should be accepted.
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b) Diego Rivera
The audio explains that Diego Rivera played a major role in the transformation of the figure into the La Catrina known today.
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