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Celebrating Day of the Dead

The Augustana campus celebrated Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), with the organization and sponsorship of the Office of Diversity Services on Oct. 21. Luminaries lined the path to Casa Latina, the Black Culture House and the Asian Pagoda.

Day of the Dead is celebrated in Mexico and by Mexican Americans living in other countries, but similar celebrations occur in some Asian and African cultures. Students participated in some of the traditions associated with the holiday, such as building altars honoring the deceased.

A papier-mâché male skeleton greets visitors at Casa Latina.
Luminaries line the path to the culture houses.
Greg Aguilar, director of Diversity Services, welcomes a family to the party.
An altar at Casa Latina.
Selene Giron of Berwyn, Ill., looks at the community altar created by alumna Phyllis Terronez-Fillers '75.
An altar at the Black Culture House
The altar created by the Black Student Union
Sharing Mexican sweet breads.
Selene Giron from Berwyn, Ill., gets her face painted by Melanie Battistoni.
Sury Garcia from Rockford, Ill., paints Greg Aguilar.
Vladislav Novikov from Palatine, Ill., paints Cooper Melgreen's face. Melgreen is from Springfield, Ill.
Ly Pham of Vietnam explains to Jamila Washington of Chicago what each element of her altar represents.
Students in the Casa Latina living room near the Rondel table/altar.
Students handing out candy at the celebration.