Spanish Students Create Caja de Memorias

By Suzanne Engel Zobitz '80, Spanish Teacher
November 13, 2019

Día de Muertos is celebrated in Mexico between October 31 and November 2. It is not a gloomy or morbid occasion, rather it is a festive and colorful holiday celebrating the lives of those who have passed on. Día de Muertos is a sacred time to remember those who have died. Families create an altar, an ofrenda, that celebrates the loved one. It is said that the dead return to their families each year to visit them and to offer advice.

The ofrenda often includes pan de muerto, a sugary pastry. Marigold petals and other flowers adorn the ofrenda. Items that identify the dead loved one will include photographs, personal items, and things that were special.

Spanish 403 Honors students created a Caja de Memorias honoring someone who has died. This was an opportunity for each student to show respect to this person. This project is not a copy of the celebration of Día de Muertos. It is something personal that reflects some of the traditions that come from México and that also reflects the values of CDH. Not only did the students create cajas, each student also made an audio recording of a memory related to his/her person. This is a beautiful way to celebrate those who have gone before us.

The Cajas will be on display in the LLC through November 22.