Dia de los Muertos, or day of the dead, was celebrated this Tuesday, Nov. 1, on campus at the Pitman Center. For this celebration, participants at the event were greeted with traditional Dia de los Muertos decorations, as well as a live song. Participants were able to learn about traditional Dia de los Muertos activities by stopping by different booths to try their hand at games, painting and crafts.
Competitors could win prizes in Loteria, a game similar to bingo. Skull ornaments could be painted and decorated in honor of the skulls that were traditionally painted during the day of the dead to honor the passing of loved ones. Participants could test out their paper skills by cutting out their own papel picados which are paper ornaments that are used to decorate shrines or memorials.
The night ended with a solemn walk and song in memory of lost loved ones, followed by drawings and prizes.
While Halloween is widely celebrated in the United States, Dia de los Muertos is another fall tradition rich in symbolism, joy and color that everyone can enjoy.
Isaac Harrison can be reached at [email protected]