College of Western Idaho's (CWI) Latinx Student Services and Student Engagement teams are still looking for people to sign up for the altar contest for Dia De Los Muertos.
Dia De Los Muertos, translated to Day of the Dead, is a two-day holiday that reunites the living and dead. Families create ofrendas (Offerings) to honor their departed family members who have passed. These altars are decorated with bright yellow marigold flowers, photos of the departed, and the favorite foods and drinks of the one being honored. The offerings are believed to encourage visits from the land of the dead as the departed souls hear their prayers, smell their foods, and join in the celebrations!
Dia de Los Muertos is a rare holiday for celebrating death and life. It is unlike any holiday where mourning is exchanged for celebration. This holiday is observed Nov. 1 – 2.
Each year, Latinx Student Services and the Student Affairs partner up to host an altar contest at College of Western Idaho campuses. Students, faculty, and staff can register to create altars honoring someone deceased.
Participants will receive a standard decoration kit as part of their registration. Any additional items required to decorate must be purchased by the participant. Altar installation will take place on Oct. 28.
Decoration kits can be picked up the week of Oct. 17 – 21. An email will go out to all participants with the location and time for pick up. Kits will include a handout on the basic elements of an altar.
Altar Displays
Oct. 31 – Nov. 4
Nampa Campus Academic Building (NCAB) Lobby and Atrium
Dia de los Muertos Celebration
Wednesday, Nov. 2
11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Nampa Campus Academic Building (NCAB) Rm 122
Those with questions or in need of more information, contact latinx@cwi.edu.
