Dr. Ocampo and student Marcella Martinez in front of the altar

Student, Faculty Display Celebrates Día de Muertos

November 3, 2022 Written by Laura Braddick 2 min read
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the dia de los muetros altar
In celebration of Día de Muertos, a holiday celebrated in early November by people of Mexican heritage to honor and celebrate their ancestors, an altar and literary calaveras are on display at the UA Student Center through Nov. 8.
dis de muertos altar
For the holiday, families create ofrendas, the Spanish word for offerings, a type of altar. These altars can vary by culture or family, but typically include marigolds, candles, photos of loved ones, and offerings of water and traditional dishes for the deceased.
a framed photograph of Dr. Autherine Lucy foster on the dia de muertos altar
The Student Center altar includes photographs and mementos of individuals who were instrumental in UA’s history, including Dr. Autherine Lucy Foster.
a framed portrait of Paul Bear Bryant on the Dia de muertos altar
Legendary UA football coach Paul “Bear” Bryant is another one of the many individuals honored.
close up on a sugar skull on the altar
La calavera de azucar, or sugar skulls, are also commonly found on ofrendas. It is a festive symbol of sweetness and nostalgia that represents a departed soul.
paper skulls with poems written on them
The literary calavera is a Mexican form of poetry that portrays people as if they were going through an imaginary encounter with death itself. These poems were written by students and professors of the department of modern languages and classics.
Dr. Ocampo and student Marcella Martinez in front of the altar
Dr. Yunuen Gómez Ocampo (left), instructor in the department of modern languages and classics, and Marcella Martinez, president of the Hispanic-Latino Association, led the project. The program was sponsored by the department of MLC along with the Intercultural Diversity Center, the Arts and Sciences Division of Humanities and Fine Arts, and the Arts and Sciences Diversity Committee.
professor ocampa speaks to students in front of the altar
Members of the Hispanic-Latino Association and the Spanish Club collaborated in preparing the decorations for the display.
a professor addresses an audience in the intercultural diversity center
As part of the program, on Tuesday, Nov. 1, Dr. Gómez Ocampo moderated the panel discussion Food Builds Community with Pastor García and Julia Sosa, community leaders and local restauranteurs.
group of students next to the altar
All are invited to stop by the altar and celebrate Día de Muertos.