Day of the Dead

The Hispanic Cultural Center hosts an annual Sugar Skull Decorating event.  Sugar skulls are a tradition of Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) which is a celebration of life and honoring deceased loved ones. 

Sugar Skull Decorating

Morgan University Center Lobby

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

11 a.m. - 1p.m.

Remembrance Slips

Day of the Dead is about remembering and honoring deceased loved ones.  Stop by MUC 213 to complete a remembrance slip.  On the slip, list a name and feel free to share a favorite memory. These will be used in the Day of the Dead exhibit.

Why the monarch butterfly? The Purépecha (also known as Tarascans) Indians of the northwestern region of the Mexican state of Michoacán, believed that the monarch butterflies are the souls of the dead.  Every year, monarch butterflies travel over 2,00 miles from the northeast United States and southeastern Canada to the oyamel trees in the Sierra Madre hills above the village of Angangueo, Mexico.  The monarch butterflies return to Mexico on the first of November which is also the Day of the Dead.  

What does the color orange signify?

Orange symbolizes an Aztec mourning, as well as the sun.  It is also the color of the marigold (Cempazuchitl in Nahuatl) and which is said to attract the spirits to the altars.

Day of the Dead Exhibit

Students interested in learning more about Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos) can stop by the MUC Third Floor Gallery space from October 29 through November 2.  There will be an altar (which is used to honor the dead), hanging remembrance slips, and a gallery of photos explaining the different traditions associated with Day of the Dead.  

Morgan University Center, Third Floor Gallery Space

Monday, October 29, 2012 - Friday, November 2, 2012

8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Day of the Dead Altar Theme Competition

Inside the house, family members set up altars to honor deceased loved ones with various offerings (ofrendas) such as portraits or photographs, bread, water, foods, flowers, toys, and paper flowers.  Visit this link to see a traditional altar.  Modern altars have been made to focus on social issues.  At the University of Louisville, an altar was dedicated to Yuma 14, who were undocumented immigrants who died in the Arizona desert after being abandoned by smugglers. Visit this link to see an image of a modern altar.

APSU students, faculty, staff, and alumni are invited to submit a theme for the altar which will be on display in the Morgan University Center Third Floor Gallery Space from Monday, October 29 through Friday, November 2.  Hispanic Cultural Center staff will review all submissions and announce the theme on Wednesday, October 24.

Deadline to submit a theme: Tuesday, October 23