Spooky Season is celebrated in many different cultures and while in the USA the main celebration is Halloween, in Mexico the main celebration is Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead.
Celebrated on Nov. 1 and 2, the tradition is rooted in Indigenous customs and Catholic traditions. It is observed throughout Mexico and by people of Mexican ancestry in the United States and other countries.
The holiday is based on the belief that the spirits of deceased loved ones return to visit their families during the celebration.
Rather than focusing on death as something frightening, Día de los Muertos celebrates the lives of those who have passed and the connections they continue to have with their families.
One of the most recognizable traditions is creating an ofrenda, or altar, to welcome and honor the dead.
Families decorate these altars with photographs of loved ones, candles, flowers, favorite foods and personal belongings. Marigolds, known as cempasuchil, are especially significant because their bright colors and strong scent are believed to guide spirits back to their families.
Sugar skulls, colorful paper decorations and traditional sweet bread, known as pan de muerto, are also common elements of the celebration. Families may visit cemeteries, share meals and tell stories about those they have lost.
Those interested in learning more about Día de los Muertos can attend Sinclair’s upcoming language event on Oct. 29 from 2 to 3 p.m. in Room 2-320. The event will recognize the holiday through a collaboration between several departments, including Spanish, English, Social Work, International Education and Speakers of Other Languages.
Erik Larson, reporter
Jacie Moore, managing editor
Check out more from The Clarion:
- Explore 5 of Dayton’s most haunted locations
Hills and Dales Lookout Tower The Hills and Dales Lookout Tower in Kettering had numerous reported hauntings and suspicious deaths.… Read more: Explore 5 of Dayton’s most haunted locations - Sinclair brings the meaning behind Día de los Muertos to light
Spooky Season is celebrated in many different cultures and while in the USA the main celebration is Halloween, in Mexico… Read more: Sinclair brings the meaning behind Día de los Muertos to light - Early voting soars, county officials ‘extremely protective’ of election security
Ohio’s 2026 midterm or “hometown” elections have been gruelingly competitive, fueled by widespread political conflict and discontent. Montgomery County Board… Read more: Early voting soars, county officials ‘extremely protective’ of election security - As AI usage grows, psychology faculty examine its effects on mental health
“As new technology emerges, we have new types of delusions being recognized,” said Luis Sanchez Alcazar, assistant professor of psychology. … Read more: As AI usage grows, psychology faculty examine its effects on mental health - Annual art sale returns with student-made treasures
When students enter the Burnell R. Roberts Triangle Gallery, they will find a space that blends an art gallery with… Read more: Annual art sale returns with student-made treasures