The Office of Multicultural and International Student Services, in conjunction with the International Hispanic Association, will sponsor its annual “El Dia de Los Muertos” celebration today at 2 p.m. in the LSC Ballroom.
In honor of this famous Mexican holiday, the office of M.I.S.S. and the IHA will offer information about the festivity as well as free food, music and giveaways that culturally represent the significance of El Dia del Los Muertos.
The celebration, which will also feature the opportunity to make a classic death-inspired craft, is meant to increase awareness of Mexican holidays and spread the diversity of different cultures to the student body.
“The purpose of the event is to inform students about historical Mexican culture and the holiday of El Dia de los Muertos,” said Brandon Soliz, a Sam Houston State University student and member of the Office of M.I.S.S.
Sigma Lambda Beta fraternity will also be sponsoring an “El Dia de los Muertos” alter in the LSC all area from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in celebration of the holiday. Pictures of deceased love ones and candles will be displayed and “Pan de Muertos” will be handed out to honor death and celebrate Mexican culture.
El Dia de los Muertos is a widely celebrated holiday in Mexico and over time has become popular among Spanish-speakers in America as well. Also known as “Day of the Dead,” the festival began hundreds of years ago by the natives of Mexico who participated in a ritual that seemed to mock death.
The celebration has continued to this day in Mexico and parts of the United States. Wooden skull masks, which represent dead and rebirth in Aztec and Meso-American culture, are worn and placed on altars to honor dead relatives. In rural parts of Mexico, some people decorate the graves of past love ones and spend the day celebrating in the cemetery. In America, families create alters in their homes to honor deceased friends and family members. The Day of the Dead celebration has also become a popular muse for music, literature and artwork by Mexican expressionists.
The “El Dia de los Muertos” activity on campus today is not only meant to appreciate the rich history of Mexico, it has also been designed to introduce the “Day of the Dead” holiday to students that are unfamiliar with Mexican culture.