Día De Los Muertos at SDSU: A Tribute for our Departed Ancestors

“Día de los Muertos,” or Day of the Dead is an annual celebration of life and death. The holiday is meant to honor and remember our dead ancestors. It is celebrated November 1-2, as a family reunion between the living and their dearly departed relatives. 

The tradition started about 3000 years ago. Its roots started long before the Spanish conquest, the Aztecs are the creators of this festivity, later they would merge their indigenous rituals with the influence of Spanish Catholicism in the Day of the Dead that we know today. Instead of eradicating the culture of the native peoples, they managed to create a mixed festivity that fuses Aztec mythology and All Saints Day.

The tradition is often misconceived as a period of grief or a funeral. But the purpose is exactly the opposite. This is a lively commemoration of the departed. Aztecs believed in the afterlife, to them, death represented a sacrifice that allows life to continue. This is an opportunity to renew life, a positive approach to death and a renovated perspective that focuses on remembering the things our loved ones enjoyed during their time on earth. 

The altar or ofrenda is meant to welcome and invoke the spirits of our ancestors. It is set up in layers, in the center, photos of our dead relatives are placed paired with colorful paper mâché as a tablecloth for the loved one’s favorite food, sugar skulls, purple candles, cempoaxotchil marigold flowers and many other symbols that can represent the person’s identity and the reasons why we remember them on this day.

The idea is that our dead ancestors will be properly remembered at least one day with every passing year. Day of the Dead is not only celebrated in Mexico, but in many other Latin communities, it has also recently gained popularity in the United States. As part of the Chicano movement, along with the representation and empowerment that Mexican-American communities have restructured for themselves, so have their traditions as it is for the Day of the Dead.

As a federally designated Hispanic-Serving Institution, San Diego State University is joining the annual celebration. Various altars will be placed around campus to give a place that commemorates all the loved ones of our SDSU community.

The International Student Center (ISC) assembled its altar in the ISC Lounge. Through Nov. 2, students are invited to place their photos of someone they would like to honor. The ISC will also host coffee and Pan de Muerto —a traditional bread of the holiday — from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 1 and Thursday, Nov. 2.

This year’s theme for the Latinx Resource Center altar at the Love Library is to represent minority groups, such as victims of femicide, hate crimes, Latinx figures and activists. They decorated the altar with flags of Latin American countries as a warm invitation to commemorate traditions.

Elisa Mendez-Pintado, graduate student assistant at the Latinx Resource Center, values the importance of SDSU hosting traditional events for her Chicano community. This brings a sense of belonging and inclusion to communities on campus. 

“I'm happy that SDSU honors our traditions and makes a place for my cultural identity, where I don't have to feel like my traditions are excluded or not understood,” said Mendez. “Representation matters for our community, celebrating our traditions makes us feel included.”.

The LRC Center is also hosting its Decorando Calaveritas event. Join them to learn more about the meaning behind the sugar skulls placed on the altars, while painting your own calaverita, from 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov 1. and Thursday, Nov. 2.

The LRC Center is also hosting a Virtual Remembrance for our Latinx community. This altar's purpose is to honor the lives of our pets that are no longer with us. Students are invited to share their favorite photos and memories with their pets. A slideshow featuring the photos will be posted on their Instagram page. Photos may be submitted online.

EVENTS

Pan de Muerto
11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
ISC Lounge

Decorando Calaveritas
10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Latinx Resource Center

Learn more about the meaning behind the sugar skulls placed on the altars, while painting your own calaverita, from 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov 1. and Thursday, Nov. 2.

Rollie Carrillo Quad
Wednesday, November 1st
5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
SDSU IMPERIAL VALLEY EVENT

SDSU Imperial Valley will also host their celebration for Dia de los Muertos. To honor the holiday, Imperial Valley will host free traditional food, beverages, a live performance and crafted altars at the Rollie Carrillo Quad.