By Erik Flores
Staff Writer
Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a tradition originating from Mexico, where families honor and remember their deceased relatives.
People celebrate by creating altars for their departed loved ones that are filled with their favorite foods and drinks. These are typically adorned with candles, sugar skulls and marigolds, which are known as “the flower of the dead” in parts of Mexico.
The hope is that the spirit of the departed will visit their altars to enjoy the spread set up for them.
Day of the Dead spans two days, Nov. 1-2. Children are celebrated on the first day, while the adults are celebrated on the second. Families often celebrate at cemeteries, where their loved ones are buried, decorating their tombs similarly to their altars with flowers, candles and food.
Although it originated in Mexico, Day of the Dead is also celebrated in the United States. Many people continue to honor their loved ones through these customs all over the country, even at CSUDH.
“Day of the Dead, to me, signifies a tradition that comes from Mexico,” said student Kimberly Leyva. “I know that my mom makes an altar for my grandpa every year. It’s a remembrance of the people that passed away in your family.”
Leyva further explained Day of the Dead phenomenon by mentioning that when the spirit of passed relatives visit, they consume the scent of the food left on the altar, so if someone eats it the next day, all flavor will be lost.
Beatriz Lopez spoke about the specific ways her family celebrates Day of the Dead.
“To me, Day of the Day is seen as a celebration for those that passed away,” Lopez said. “You honor them by making an altar and leaving anything they liked to eat or drink. For my dad we put Patron and (other types of) tequila because he liked to drink.”
Viridiana Siordia recognized the evolution of Day of the Dead from before the Spanish colonized Mexico, to modern times.
“Day of the Dead has been going on since the indigenous times,” Siordia said. “It is a way to honor the dead. It’s believed that passed relatives come back to visit, [and] It is now becoming more popular here in the United States.”
Day of the Dead began as a Mexican tradition but has slowly become known around the world, where more people from various countries are celebrating this day.
In Los Angeles alone, you can find many Day of the Dead events that draw bigger crowds every year, such as the annual Dia de los Muertos event at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery, and an event with the same name at CSUDH on Nov. 3.
