Houston Community College is conducting Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos) workshops at several campuses during the month of October in observance of Hispanic Heritage Month.
Local artist, Laura Lopez Cano, will educate participants about the significance of the Day of the Dead, how to create an appropriate altar and how to craft decorations for their altar or party. Crafting and handmade decorations have a long tradition in Day of the Dead celebrations.
Day of the Dead Workshops will be held at the following locations:
HCC Central: Tuesday, October 26 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
HCC Southeast: Thursday, October 28 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
HCC Northeast: Thursday, October 28 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Celebrating Day of the Dead has a long history in Mexican Tradition. It is believed that the spirit of the dead visit their families October 31 and leave November 2.
Time-lapse video of an altar being created at HCC Central.
November 1 is “el Dia de los innnocentes” or the day of the children and All Saints Day. November second is All Souls Day or the Day of the Dead. As a way to celebrate, the families make altars. They place ofrendas (offerings) of food such as pan de muertos baked in shapes of skulls and figures, candles, incense, yellow marigolds known as cempazuchitl (also spelled zempasuchil) and a photo of the departed soul on the altar.
