As practiced in previous years, Rhodes will be celebrating El Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, a religious holiday originated in Mexico, on Nov. 1. The celebration will commemorate the holiday that dates back three thousand years ago. During the celebration at the Palmer Hall Language Center, families and friends will offer a space for their loved ones that have passed on, and celebrate their past life through offerings, food spreads and traditional decorations.  Día de los Muertos represents a culture that has embraced the belief that death is a natural and necessary part of life, inviting participants to celebrate death and their lost loved ones rather than mourn.

The Language Center will be adorned with papel picado, paper flowers and textiles from Mexico and Central America, and there will be music and refreshments provided by Memphis’ own Taquería La Guadalupana for the students to enjoy. The event will include opportunities to learn how to construct traditional paper flower decorations, pose in a photo booth and enjoy delicious authentic Mexican cuisine like Pan de Muerto. There will also be ofrendas or altars on display, constructed by Professor Jabbour’s Spanish 102 students, that are dedicated to loved ones that have passed. The ofrendas will be on display in the first-floor hallway of Palmer Hall during the days leading up to Día de Los Muertos as well as throughout the event.

In addition to the on-campus festivities, the City of Memphis celebrated Día de los Muertos on Saturday, Oct. 27. There was an afternoon parade starting in Overton Square in the Tower Courtyard and, afterwards, attendees visited the annual Día de los Muertos festival at the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art. The festival had several activities to celebrate the holiday including face painting, music, costumed performances and opportunities to make original art.

Día de los Muertos is a holiday for anyone who is interested in other cultures and traditions and wishes to commemorate their past loved ones, not just those who have Hispanic heritage. The festivities on Rhodes’ campus and off-campus will be a good opportunity for all to participate in this revered cultural tradition and enjoy traditional Mexican dishes.