With bright colors, flowers and food on the altar, Día de los Muertos or Day of the Dead is being celebrated at Bowling Green State University (BGSU).
Day of the Dead is held on Nov. 1 and 2 to celebrate loved ones who have passed. It’s a holiday celebrated in Mexico, South America and other Latin countries.
Amy Robinson, chair and professor in the world language and culture program, has set up two altars for students to use. There are four total altars on campus. Each altar will be set up on Oct. 27 and last through the week ending on Nov. 2.
“It will be available in Shatzel starting on Monday and up for the rest of the week so that people can stop by, leave something if they’d like, etc. There will also be an ofrenda [alter] getting set up where the Global Village Learning Community is housed in McDonald Hall,” Robinson said.
Robinson said there will be two altars set up by student groups and a PhD student.
“In Theater & Film, they are also setting up an altar again, under the leadership of PhD student Haley-Anissa Alvarez,” Robinson said. “There is also likely going to be one up in the lobby area of Williams Hall with a history department student group on Thursday of next week.”
Students at BGSU can put items, photos and food onto the altar to remember their loved ones.
“Photos of loved ones to honor and remember the people who have passed away. Candles that light the way for the spirits to find their way back home,” Akemi Garcia, sophomore majoring in marine biology, said in an email statement. “Food and drinks are usually the loved one’s favorite foods, plus traditional foods like pan de Muerto (sweet bread).”
Before Day of the Dead, Garcia spends time preparing her altar with her family.
“Usually, for the holiday, we spend time together preparing all of the decorations and foods that will later be put on the table next to the pictures of the people we want to honor that day,” Garcia said. ”Our main objective for my family on that day is for us to come together and catch up, and tell stories of those family members who are no longer with us.”
Garcia said Day of the Dead is an important holiday for some people to remember their loved ones who are no longer with them.
“I celebrate Día de los Muertos because it’s an important part of my culture and family traditions. It’s a time to honor and remember loved ones who have passed away, but in a positive way. Instead of being sad, it’s about celebrating their lives and the memories we shared with them,” Garcia said.
