The Latin American Student Organization at LSU members gathered in the Magnolia room of the Student Union on Thursday to celebrate Día de los Muertos, Day of the Dead.
LASO President, Britney Tobar is a senior pursuing a dual degree in French and pre-med Psychology. She said that Day of the Dead is a significant holiday in Mexican culture where people honor their loved ones who have passed away but also celebrate those who are still alive.
Tobar explained that families usually put pictures of their loved ones on an ofrenda, or altar, and add marigold flowers to help guide the deceased family members to where they need to go. Tobar said some families also put food on the altar, and legend says that if someone eats the food after Day of the Dead, it will have no taste because their dead loved ones have already eaten it.
LASO decorated an altar for the celebration and encouraged students to bring pictures of their family members. Tobar demonstrated how to make marigolds with paper and students crafted while socializing and watching The Book of Life, a Day of the Dead-inspired movie.
Students at the event could also enjoy treats like Day of the Dead cupcakes or pan de muerto, bread of the dead.
Economics freshman Gabriella Aguilera said she came to this Day of the Dead event because she was looking for a celebration other than Halloween and one that aligns with her culture. Aguilera said she used to dress up as a skeleton and attend Day of the Dead parades back home in Dallas. She said her favorite parts of this event were learning to make the marigolds and meeting new people.
“I feel really comfortable coming here and speaking with people, and it’s nice to eat food that I haven’t eaten in such a long time,” Aguilera said.
This Day of the Dead celebration was the first LASO event for psychology freshman Kamryn McCalister. She said she joined LASO to connect with more Latin Americans.
“I was worried that coming from Texas to Louisiana would be kind of lonely,” McCalister said. “The people here are nice though, and I am excited to attend more LASO events.”
McCalister said her family recently started celebrating Day of the Dead. To embrace the holiday, she brought a picture of her grandpa who passed away in 2018 to place on the altar.
Tobar explained that every family celebrates Day of the Dead differently. For example, she said that her family always goes to the cemetery and has a moment of prayer to reflect on deceased loved ones. She added that even though the holiday can be sad, it is also happy because families come together to celebrate.
Tobar said LASO has events like this to showcase Hispanic culture and welcomes others who want to join.
