Story by Kiersten Kimminau Design by Dani Flores-Gomez Every year, the Diversity & Equity Center (DEC) lights up campus with the celebration of Día de los Muertos, which translates to Day of the Dead. This year, the weeklong celebration will go from Oct. 26-31. With a variety of workshops, visual displays and activities that serve to educate and celebrate, students and community members alike will have much to gain from this weeklong celebration of life and death. For those who don’t know much about Día de los Muertos, it is an Indigenous cultural celebration that honors loved ones who have passed away. Though it originated in Mexico, it has been adopted by many Latin and European regions. However, it was not until 2014 that the celebration of Día de los Muertos was brought to the CWU campus. Elizabeth Vidaurri, program manager for the DEC, said, “Dia de los Muertos is about recognizing death as a natural part of the human experience.”
Visual Traditions During this celebration, families will create ofrendas (Spanish for offerings) to honor their departed family members who have passed away. On these ofrendas, families will place food, drinks, trinkets and offerings that are believed to encourage visits from the land of the dead. Another familiar symbol you may recognize is the colored and brightly adorned calacas and calaveras (skeletons and skulls). These often appear during the holiday in the form of sweet treats, masks and decorations to aid in the celebration and remembrance of life. One more visual tradition you may recognize is the sand tapestry. Artists will create stunning tapestries in front of ofrendas using colorful sand that display intricate scenes of skeletons, symbols, saints and more. The DEC goes big with this traditional piece every year, and 2020 will be no different.
Event Additions Though you can expect some of the same traditions to be represented during the celebration, don’t expect everything to be exactly how it has been in the past. Brand new to this year, the DEC will be partnering with Gallery One, the visual arts center in downtown Ellensburg. The ofrenda and sand tapestry that many are used to seeing on campus, will now be based downtown. Vidaurri said the intention is to bridge the gap between university and community. Students and community members alike will be able to visit the gallery to see a stunning sand tapestry and even honor their own loved ones by contributing to an ofrenda. Also unique to this year, there will be workshops and presentations both inperson and virtually. The DEC will be actively engaging and sharing with their followers on social media, so even those not residing in Ellensburg this season will be able to participate.
While you enjoy the excitement and array of colors that flourish during the celebration of Día de los Muertos, make sure to take time to learn the history behind the art and activities as well. “We want [people] to get into the roots and cultural experiences,” Vidaurri said. While the events and workshops will be fun and enjoyable, Vidaurri said people should “Really [understand] where some of these Aztec traditions and Indigenous celebrations come from.” Whether you visit Gallery One downtown or engage in the holiday virtually, there will be something for everyone. Follow the DEC on social media to see everything that will be offered during this year’s celebration of Dia de los Muertos.