By Gabriel Oliveros Jr.
Over 180 people were in attendance to pay respects to loved ones that lost their lives, or to learn about Hispanic tradition, at the Dia De Los Muertos Ceremony. Throughout the evening, sounds of loud drumming, Mexican gritos, traditional music and enthused conversations were all in effect.
The celebration came together with help from five different on-campus organizations labeled as the Día De Los Muertos Concilio. This includes the Visual Arts & Music department, El Centro, Otter Cross Cultural Center, Otter Dreamers, Associated Students as well as some community members.
Aquila Cloyd, a senior majoring in Humanities and Communication, said she came to this event to learn more about the traditions of the Indigenous and Hispanic (Central and South American) cultures. “The dancing is amazing, but I also loved doing the face painting myself. I thought that was something that everyone should experience,” said Cloyd.
Held in front of Visual Public Arts (VPA) Building 70, several tables served free pan de muerto (Day of the Dead bread) and hot chocolate. Treats were courtesy of event organizers.
Performances took place including cultural dances, two live musical acts and also a stand-up comedy piece by a local comedian. People were also welcome to tour the art exhibit, containing several colorful altars displaying several offerings and objects that represented the pets and loved ones that have passed away.
Some 50 free Dia De Los Muertos Ceremony shirts were produced and distributed in the first 10 minutes of the event. There was a long line for face painting also on behalf of students from the VPA program.
Abby Boatman, a third year VPA major, provided live face painting for a long line of people in celebration of Dia De Los Muertos.
“We all had different jobs and I chose to do the face painting,” Boatman said. “I really liked seeing my classmates go up and perform because there’s a couple of them who I watched work on their stuff and having all the altars up is just beautiful.”
Toward the end of the event, a moment of silence was given for a list of lost loved ones, composed of names the crowd wrote down to honor.