Celebrate The Fascinating Festival Of Altars With SUMA

It’s once again time for the Day of the Dead or Dia de los Muertos and the Southern Utah Museum of Art is helping the community celebrate with the opening of the ofrenda in the museum’s vestibule. 

You might be wondering what the Day of the Dead is. According to Britannica.com, “Dia de los Muertos is celebrated across Mexico with skulls, skeletons, and graveside visits. Dia de los Muertos is also celebrated in other areas of Latin America and the United States.”  

The rituals of the Day of the Dead were at one time part of the pre-Hispanic peoples of Mexico. Once the Spanish arrived in Mexico, the holiday was moved to coincide with All Saint’s Day and All Soul’s Day. 

Some rituals that are part of the Day of the Dead include wearing masks, adorning gravesites, eating food, and making ofrendas.

The Day of the Dead is essentially a family reunion with relatives who have passed away. Jose Garcia Lopez, a street vendor interviewed by NBC News about the Day of the Dead, was quoted in part as saying "I like that Mexicans do not forget our dead. In that way we are different."

November 4th, Southern Utah’s largest Day of the Dead celebration, comes to a conclusion at SUMA with festivities starting at noon with Mariachi Fuego, Ballet Folkorico Herencia Hispana, storytelling, art activities, Pan de Muerto, and face painting. The event is free and open to the public.