Celebra Te The Dead
Mexico: Students on campus celebrate 'Dia de los Muertos'
By: Martha Ramirez
Issue date: 10/30/03 Section: Features
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Jessica walks up to the altar and kneels down in front of it. She is holding a bowl of fresh fruit filled with apples, strawberries and cantelope that was Tio Juan's favorite; she is offering it to his spirit for it is believed that it has come back.
The family gives an 'ofrenda' or an offering, to celebrate the lives of those loved ones whom have passed on.
"I've always loved learning about my culture," Miguel Ruiz, engineering major, said. "Staying in tune with your culture is something to be proud of. By celebrating El Dia de los Muertos, I'm learning more about my roots."
Dia de los Muertos, which means Day of the Dead, is a Mexican tradition where families remember their dead and the continuity of their lives, Ricardo J. Salvador said in his book "What do Mexicans celebrate on Day of the Dead."
"This celebration shows us that we shouldn't be scared of death as other cultures show us to be," Alejandra Maldonado, undeclared major, said.
On Monday, the Anthropology Museum present the fifth annual Dia de los Muertos celebration.
There will be a veiwing of Dia de los Muertos themed folkart and an altar for the deceased in the art building, Room 301 at 1 p.m.
MECh.A (Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan) and SOL (The Student Organization of Latinos),have joined together to also celebrate El Dia de los Muertos on campus.
Both clubs decided to unite and organize the event together instead of doing two separate events.
"The bigger the event, the more impact on the campus," Dianne Martinez, SOL adviser, said. "Both clubs have the same purpose, different views, but the same purpose."
The festivities will take place today.
The event will take place from 1p.m.to 2p.m. at the library lawn.
There will be altars set up, and free 'champurrado' and 'Pan de Muerto' will be served. "Champurrado is a Mexican beverage that is somewhat like a thick hot chocolate," President Adan Andrade of MECh.A, said. "It is made of chocolate, corn flour (maza) and milk. Pan de Muerto is Mexican sweet bread specially made for that day."
The family gives an 'ofrenda' or an offering, to celebrate the lives of those loved ones whom have passed on.
"I've always loved learning about my culture," Miguel Ruiz, engineering major, said. "Staying in tune with your culture is something to be proud of. By celebrating El Dia de los Muertos, I'm learning more about my roots."
Dia de los Muertos, which means Day of the Dead, is a Mexican tradition where families remember their dead and the continuity of their lives, Ricardo J. Salvador said in his book "What do Mexicans celebrate on Day of the Dead."
"This celebration shows us that we shouldn't be scared of death as other cultures show us to be," Alejandra Maldonado, undeclared major, said.
On Monday, the Anthropology Museum present the fifth annual Dia de los Muertos celebration.
There will be a veiwing of Dia de los Muertos themed folkart and an altar for the deceased in the art building, Room 301 at 1 p.m.
MECh.A (Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan) and SOL (The Student Organization of Latinos),have joined together to also celebrate El Dia de los Muertos on campus.
Both clubs decided to unite and organize the event together instead of doing two separate events.
"The bigger the event, the more impact on the campus," Dianne Martinez, SOL adviser, said. "Both clubs have the same purpose, different views, but the same purpose."
The festivities will take place today.
The event will take place from 1p.m.to 2p.m. at the library lawn.
There will be altars set up, and free 'champurrado' and 'Pan de Muerto' will be served. "Champurrado is a Mexican beverage that is somewhat like a thick hot chocolate," President Adan Andrade of MECh.A, said. "It is made of chocolate, corn flour (maza) and milk. Pan de Muerto is Mexican sweet bread specially made for that day."