Campus News 2006-2007 Academic Year

El Día de los Muertos Observed November 1

Yolanda Romanello '05 stands at an altar set up in the Mexican tradition for El Diá de los Muertos Observance.

El Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) was commemorated at Pitzer College on November 1st, following the ancient Mexican tradition of remembering and honoring our beloved departed. This year's event honored the memory of immigrants who have perished in the desert along the USA-Mexico border.

During Día de los Muertos, whole communities gather at the cemeteries and bring offerings of food, seasonal flowers, and all kinds of gifts that the deceased loved. Families set up altars and await the arrival of their deceased relatives. Newspapers publish “Calaveras,” satirical obituaries of the living that make fun of politicians, popular singers, and other well-known people.

Following the Mexican tradition, there was plenty of food including chiles rellenos, enchiladas, tamales, arroz, frijoles, salsa, and pan de muerto (bread of the dead). This year's guest speaker was Yolanda Romanello, '05. The event, organized by Spanish Professor Martha Barcenas, was funded by the Campus Life Committee.

The altar will remain up in the Fletcher Jones Language and Culture Laboratory (Broad Hall 209) until November 3rd.