Dia de los Muertos was celebrated at California Lutheran University on Oct. 29 between the mail center and Starbucks.

The altar was set up in the morning for those to place pictures of loved ones, flowers, or candles to remember the dead.

The event was hosted by the Latin American Student Organization and usually is set up at the back of campus by Swenson.

“This event goes on every year and this year we are closer to where everyone hangs out,” Andrew Castro, the President of the Latin American Student Organization said.

The surrounding environment was box-like, with the mail center on one side and the Ullman building on the other. It gave a sense of privacy for those who were celebrating their loved ones who had passed on.

“The Day of the Dead is a tradition in Latin American cultures, especially in Mexico, where people honor the dead,” Paulina Nunez, vice president of the Latin Student Organization, said.

Between two of the tall lamps by the mail center, there were colorful square decorations with reds, blues, yellows and oranges to brighten up the remembrance.

Students who were involved with this event showed up in proper attire, with their faces painted white with black accents to outline the human skull.

“The graves in Mexican towns and cities are colorful and full of flowers that their loved ones brought,” Nunez said.

The Latin American Student Organization had to make do without the graves but did not forget to add the flowers.

Tables were covered with blue, yellow, pink and floral table coverings. One table was a craft table for the celebration, and another was the food table.

“We are making skull masks to celebrate the Day of the Dead,” sophomore Carolina Zuniga-Mejia said. “Originally the celebration is Nov. 1-2, but since the first falls on a Sunday, we are celebrating early.”

Snacks included a signature Mexican bread that tastes sweet.

“Pan dulce is a common sweet bread usually paired with hot chocolate. It is sometimes a breakfast as well as an after dinner snack,” senior Ashley Brown said.

Food also brings the community together.

“It is sometimes left as an offering to the loved ones who have passed,” Nunez said.

Along with music, crafts, and food there was a raffle and face painting to help those who attended get involved and win goody bags as well as the option to look the part.

“A lot of people get super excited about this event,” Zuniga-Mejia said.

The way that the event was celebrated was beautiful. Death is usually very dark and depressing, whereas this celebration brings life and happiness into the mix. It was a very positive way to celebrate.

“I am a Spanish major and enjoy Day of the Dead,” Brown said. “It is a party to part with loved ones who have passed.”

“It’s about hanging out and talking about your loved ones and also to catch up with people you know,” Castro said. “We also encourage students to bring more stuff for the altar for all of CLU to celebrate.”

Next year the Latin American Student Organization hopes to have the same area to celebrate in and with more people to celebrate with.

Samantha Steele
Staff Writer
Published November 4th, 2015