Hispanic Heritage Month came to a close last week with the Asian/Hispanic/Native American (AHNA) Center’s last two celebrations of the cultural month. On Oct. 15, students learned about the Day of the Dead at the Día de los Muertos Altar Making workshop in the Multicultural Lounge. “Día de Los Muertos” is a Mexican and Central American holiday celebrated from Oct. 31 to Nov. 2 during which family and friends gather to pray for and remember their deceased loved ones. It is not a sad occasion, but a festive one to honor and celebrate life and death.
“Traditions connected with the holiday include building private altars called 'ofrendas,' honoring the deceased using sugar skulls, marigolds and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed, and visiting graves with these as gifts,” said Alex Rodriguez, a Wright State student who has been involved in the planning of the Hispanic Heritage month events.
At the event, students painted and decorated skull masks like the ones often displayed during the holiday. They also had the opportunity to see an example of a traditional altar and try “Pan de los Muertos,” or the Day of the Dead Bread, a type of sweet roll decorated with bone-shaped pieces. The students’ masks will be displayed on the altar as well.
“I thought that the Day of the Dead was something creepy and like Halloween, but I learned that it is not,” said Merica Coffey, a freshman criminal justice major who attended the event. "It was surprising to learn that it is a celebration of the dead and is fun and happy time. I had a lot of fun at the event making the masks.”
Later in the week, students were able to experience Latin American entertainment at La Fiesta Night on Oct. 17. Students danced to cultural music, played by WSU alumna DJ Megan Gomez, and learned salsa and merengue steps. There were also piñatas, limbo and a salsa tasting. Hispanic arts and crafts were also offered, such as decorating maracas. Students who danced especially well were able to win a prize.
“It’s a time for everyone to get together after a long week of classes and have a good time and enjoy and dance to the beautiful music of the Hispanic culture,” said Mai Nguyen, Director of the AHNA Center.
In addition to Hispanic Heritage month, the AHNA center also celebrates Native American Heritage Month and Asian American Heritage Month. This year is the center’s 17th year in celebrating these culture months.
“Colleges are very diverse so it is very important to help students of different minorities fit in and be appreciated,” Nyguyen said. "It’s also important for students to learn about different cultures because it will help as they go out into their careers after college and will have to interact with people of many different backgrounds and cultures.”
Events for Native American Heritage month will begin on Nov. 5.
