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When Syracuse University senior Maria Madero arrived on campus four years ago, she felt incredibly disconnected from her Mexican roots. Now, serving as Syracuse University’s Mexican Student Association president, she hopes to provide a sense of community for other students, especially during Día de los Muertos.

“I wanted to make this event really special, especially for those who have lost loved ones and want to honor them in a way that isn’t at home but is close to their roots and their culture,” Madero said.

SU’s Latine student organizations held “Día De Los Muertos: Feria Edition” on Wednesday to celebrate the Day of the Dead. The evening included dance performances, live mariachi music, a traditional altar and activities to honor the Mexican holiday’s customs.

MEXSA, alongside other Latine organizations, like Latinx Undergraduates Creating History in America and Central American Student Association, sponsored the event. Madero said it’s important to her that students have a place to celebrate Día de los Muertos, especially those far from home.

This is MEXSA’s third annual Día de los Muertos event. Last year, the event quickly reached full capacity at the Schine Underground with a line forming outside, Madero said. This year, it was held in Goldstein Auditorium, a larger venue with room for everyone to attend.

Ella Chan | Asst. Photo Editor

Students enjoy Mexican foods and drinks during the Día de los Muertos celebration. The event saw performances by traditional Mexican dance group Ballet Folklórico, the Raíces Dance Troupe and mariachi band Grupo Romántico.

Cesar Barrera, a sophomore and MEXSA’s treasurer, said he hoped the evening showcased Mexican culture to all students, especially those who had never experienced it before.

“This is a great step to show how beautiful Mexican culture is and get them interested in it,” Barrera said.

The program began with a performance from Ballet Folklórico Espíritu de México, a Mexican folk dance group that Barrera is part of from his hometown of New York City. The group performed upbeat, tap-heavy dances in traditional, colorful dresses and mariachi outfits.

SU’s RAÍCES Dance Troupe also performed later in the night, dancing to Latin trap and reggaeton music. The dancers said the performance connected them to their culture and the greater Latine community.

“I love being able to showcase my culture and my identity,” said Izel de Jesus Veilmann, a freshman member of RAÍCES. “I really appreciate the forum they gave us to express ourselves.”

The event was set up in a fair style with tables lining the auditorium. Several student organizations, including CASA, South American and Latine Student Association and Lambda Theta Alpha Latin sorority, set up tables with cultural activities. Students could decorate traditional floral headbands and wooden skulls. There was also an hourly piñata competition and ongoing wiffle ball games.

Ella Chan | Asst. Photo Editor

Students scrub vibrant colors into scratch art depicting calaveras, or sugar skulls. The event hosted activities like making flower headbands, face painting, wiffle ball, piñatas and decorating frames for photos of loved ones that students could place on the altar by the stage.

Clubs encouraged students to add photos of their family members to the ofrendas — homemade altars used during Día de los Muertos to honor the lives of loved ones who have died. La L.U.C.H.A. also organized a frame-making table where students could decorate frames for their photos to add to the altar.

Ixchel Flores Chamale, a junior member of La L.U.C.H.A., said it’s important to her to have a place to celebrate the holiday on campus. At school, they rarely get time to dedicate to their heritage and the memory of their loved ones, so the event provided a special opportunity to connect with her culture.

“I like to pay homage to where I came from because without my ancestors, I wouldn’t be here right now,” Flores said.

In its remembrance of people who have died, Día de los Muertos is a family-centric event. It provided a sense of community for students who are far from their families while at school.

“This is a holiday that is very close to me. It’s difficult not to be able to honor loved ones at home,” Madero said. “Being able to do so on campus provides comfort for me and I hope for others.”

Published on October 31, 2024 at 12:15 am

ehrosen@syr.edu