Dia de los Muertos Brings Tradition to Texas State

Nathalie Cohetero
News Reporter

Dia de los Muertos is a rich combination of indigenous and Spanish cultural traditions. This celebration of the dead is usually recognized as being a prominent Mexican tradition, but its origins can be traced across Latin America.

Student Development Specialist of Texas State University’s Honors College, Michelle Sotolongo, explains why Texas State held its own celebratory event.

“We like to have this celebration every year so that students, who maybe are not familiar with this tradition can become aware of it, and we also have it free and open to the public so that the community is able to celebrate with the students.”

This event is a collaboration between the Honors College, Center for the Study of the Southwest, Multicultural Programs Committee, El Centro Cultural Hispano de San Marcos, and various student organizations.

Board of Directors Chair of the Indigenous Cultures Institute, Mario Garza, explains the role death has with this holiday.

“A lot of people are afraid of death. They don’t understand why we would celebrate death. I mean, we know that death is going to happen to everybody, and we remember of our relatives, and relations, and friends that already passed. On this day, we honor them, and we remember them, and we celebrate.”

The evening was filled with music, dance, food, face painting, and crafts which allowed participants to learn more about what this holiday means. Dia de los Muertos not only is an outlet to share stories but an event where one can take home more than just memories.