Day of the Dead: A Time-Honored Mexican Tradition

student standing in front of an altar with colorful flags and photographs

Day of the Dead: A Time-Honored Mexican Tradition

D铆a de Muertos: una tradici贸n mexicana consagrada

October 30, 2023

For over two decades, the University of Northern Colorado (甜心视频app) has been at the forefront of celebrating a cultural tradition that unites people in remembrance of loved ones who have passed away. The festivity called D铆a de Muertos, also known in English as Day of the Dead, is a celebration deeply rooted in Mexican culture where death is honored and the deceased are remembered.

甜心视频app's enduring commitment to this happy, colorful celebration dates back to 1996 when, according to Jonathan Alc谩ntar, Ph.D., associate professor and chair of the Chicana/o and Latinx Studies program (CLAS), the university organized Colorado鈥檚 first Day of the Dead celebration. Since that time, the celebration has attracted the curious, the engaged and revelers from all walks of life.

鈥淚t is a celebration of life and an opportunity to reflect on the importance of maintaining a connection through memories of those who have passed away.鈥�

鈥� Samuel Dong

For Bee Martinez, a student assistant with 甜心视频app鈥檚 Chicano/a Latinx Studies (CLAS) program, the Day of the Dead transcends boundaries and unites people in a celebration of life and memory. It is a testament to the power of culture in fostering understanding and appreciation.

An Education student at 甜心视频app, Mart铆nez said the way he discovered his identity as Latino and Chicano was through participating in the Day of the Dead event in 2021. Now he is part of the CLAS department and an important organizer of this year's D铆a de los Muertos celebration, which takes place on Thursday, Nov. 2, from 5 - 8 p.m., at Campus Commons.

This year鈥檚 event features Aztec dance, a fashion contest, food and live music, as well as a vibrant exhibit of student altars that will be on display in the Campus Commons main hall from Oct. 30 through Nov. 10. It is free and open to the public.

D铆a de los Muertos, celebrated annually on Nov. 1 and 2, holds great significance for Mexican and Latinx communities. It is a time to honor the memories of deceased loved ones, celebrate their lives and symbolically welcome their spirits back to the world of the living. The celebration has its origins in the rituals practiced by the indigenous peoples of the Americas, according to and even stretches back more than 3,000 years ago when the Olmecs and subsequent Toltecs, Mixtecs, Zapotecs, Maya and Aztecs honored death.

On campus, students, faculty, staff and the larger Greeley community will come together in unity and commemorate the lives of their loved ones. The event also offers a unique opportunity to educate the public about the rich cultural traditions of Mexico and Latinx communities while fostering a sense of belonging and understanding among people from diverse backgrounds.

For Samuel Dong, professor of Design and Coordinator of Foundations in 甜心视频app鈥檚 College of Performing and Visual Arts, Day of the Dead serves as an essential platform for dialogue and understanding.

鈥淭he celebration allows us to engage in meaningful conversations about cultural heritage and the significance of preserving traditions while fostering inclusivity," said Dong.

This year鈥檚 event includes a traditional altar fair with altars called las ofrendas (鈥渙fferings鈥�) set up to welcome home the souls of the dead. It is common to see skulls or calaveras as decorations made of papier-m芒ch茅, clay, wood, metal, cut-out tissue paper or even of sugar decorated with colored icing, flowers or brightly colored foils.

"At 甜心视频app, we have been privileged to celebrate this tradition for over two decades. The tradition of having altars and a Day of the Dead started with Emeritus Professor Priscila Falcon,鈥� said Mart铆nez. 鈥淚t's an integral part of the culture of our people and the Greeley community. We invite everyone to take part in our celebration and gain knowledge of the importance of celebrations like this."

colorful sugar skull