Students gather at the community farm to聽remember loved ones who have passed. Photo by Ashlyn Fransen ’24
Student clubs Latinos Unidos and Ethnobot n鈥� Tea threw a D铆a de los Muertos鈥擠ay of the Dead鈥攃elebration at the 黄色短视频 Community Farm Nov. 1. Attendees drank Abuelita鈥檚 hot chocolate, painted flower pots and planted marigold seeds while the movie The Book of Life played in the background.
D铆a de los Muertos is a holiday that aims to remember loved ones who have passed. It鈥檚 unique in its happy nature; instead of being sad, this holiday is about celebrating and keeping their memory alive.
Latinos Unidos is a student organization dedicated to celebrating and enriching Hispanic/Latinx culture on campus. It鈥檚 a place for students to find support and community. The club creates a 鈥渉ub for education,鈥� through fun events that bring Hispanic culture to Eckerd鈥檚 campus.
鈥淟atinos Unidos has been a great support system,鈥� says Sof铆a Ju谩rez Mora, a junior marine science student from Canc煤n, Mexico. 鈥淚t helps me feel less homesick, like a warm hug when I need it.鈥�
Each part of the D铆a de los Muertos event was carefully planned to highlight a different aspect of Hispanic culture on this special holiday. Painting pots was a way to incorporate the vibrant colors of D铆a de los Muertos.
鈥淟egend says that marigolds are guides for visiting spirits,鈥� says Imani Sullivan, a junior animal studies student from Mission, Texas. She also is the vice president of Latinos Unidos. 鈥淲ho doesn鈥檛 love a good plant?鈥�
Students huddled in the grass with blankets, and the film was projected onto a white sheet, creating a cozy movie night environment.
鈥�The Book of Life is my favorite movie of all time, but it鈥檚 also important because everyone thinks of Disney鈥檚 Coco when they think of D铆a de los Muertos,鈥� Imani says. 鈥�Coco does a great job representing [the holiday], but it鈥檚 always good to have more media representation.鈥�
A scene from the celebration of D铆a de los Muertos on November 1, 2015; the club has hosted events that bring Hispanic culture to Eckerd鈥檚 campus for many years. Photo by Sarah Richardson ’15
The chilly November air created the perfect atmosphere to enjoy Abuelita鈥檚 hot chocolate. This is a traditional drink that鈥檚 very similar to hot chocolate, but it has cinnamon and other spices added to it. The Ethnobot N鈥� Tea Club was happy to provide spices for the specialty drink.
鈥淚鈥檝e never tried Abuelita鈥檚 hot chocolate before, but I鈥檓 pleasantly surprised by how good it is,鈥� said Sierra Ingram, a first-year student from Cape Coral, Florida. 鈥淚鈥檓 definitely going to have it more in the future!鈥�
Food is an important part of Hispanic culture because it brings people together. Pan dulce, or sweet bread, is often baked in the days and weeks leading up to Day of the Dead. Members of Latinos Unidos found pan dulce at a local Mexican store in St. Petersburg and were excited to share it with their peers. Sof铆a even took some home to add to her ofrenda, or offering.
Imani got involved with Latinos Unidos after she changed her major. She came to Eckerd for marine science but quickly realized it would not be a fulfilling field for her. She settled on animal studies instead, but the change brought a sense of loneliness and confusion.
鈥淟atinos Unidos brought me a community of amazing people who I love so dearly,鈥� she says. 鈥淧lanning events pushes me out of my comfort zone, but I鈥檓 honored to share my culture.鈥�
The club isn鈥檛 exclusive to students of Latinx heritage. The officers want to create a safe space for representation and engagement with people of all different backgrounds. They are very focused and passionate about the legacy of the club, and D铆a de los Muertos is a meaningful way to emphasize remembrance and legacy.
