Oct. 31 is the beginning of Día de los Muertos or the Day of the Dead celebration, which is a traditional Mexican holiday that focuses on getting together with family and friends to pray and remember deceased loved ones.
According to Frances Ann Day, author of “Latina and Latino Voices in Literature,” Oct. 31 is All Hallows Eve. On this day, the children make a children’s altar to invite the angelitos, or spirits of dead children, to come back for a visit. Similarly, Nov. 1 is All Saints Day, when the adult spirits will come to visit. Nov. 2 is All Souls Day, when families go to the cemetery to decorate the graves and tombs of their relatives.
The three-day fiesta is filled with various symbols and decorations. These include marigolds, the flowers of the dead, pan de muerto or the bread of the dead, sugar skulls, cardboard skeletons, tissue paper decorations, fruit and nuts, incense and other traditional items.
Although it originated in Mexico, Day of the Dead is celebrated in various parts of the world. Each region, including Pueblo, has added its own flare to this holiday. CSU-Pueblo will celebrate this colorful holiday starting in November. On the morning of Nov. 3, students who have reserved a spot are invited to begin setting up the traditional three-tiered altars in the Occhiato University Center. They may decorate the altars however they like, to commemorate one person or a group.
According to the university’s Chicano Studies website, the most important thing to place on an altar is a photograph of the person or persons to whom the altar is dedicated. Other significant things to include are the symbolic colors: purple for pain, white for hope and pink for the celebration. Candles are also placed on the altar to light the way for the dead as they return.
If you are interested in viewing students’ altars and celebrating a traditional Dia de los Muertos, the festivities will be taking place Nov. 3. Swing by the OUC Great Hall from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. or 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. to be a part of the celebration. The event is sponsored by the Diversity Resource Center.
To read more about the Day of the Dead celebration and Hispanic Heritage Month, visit the Chicano Studies page on the university website at chass.csupueblo.edu/CHICANOSTUDIES.
