LBCC hosts Día de los Muertos celebration at LAC

A Long Beach City College Día de los Muertos celebration brought students and community members together on Nov. 1 at the Building G quad.

Día de los Muertos, also known as Day of the Dead, is a Mexican tradition celebrated on Nov. 1 and Nov. 2, to honor and remember loved ones who have passed away.

Families celebrate by creating altars known as ofrendas that are decorated with photos, flowers, candles and the favorite foods of their loved ones.

Attendees enjoyed traditional foods including tamales, champurrado and pan de muerto while taking time to remember loved ones who have passed away. 

Students had the opportunity to look at different altars, get their faces painted with Calavera designs and enjoy live performances.

To LBCC student Milani Medina, Día de los Muertos is a time to remember and honor loved ones who have passed away.

“I feel like our ancestors are always with us, but I think it gives us a specific time to honor them and show them that we remember them,” Medina said.

The holiday is also a time to remember her friend David, who was killed some years ago.

Medina explained that his passing had an impact on her life and helped her reflect on herself and the challenges she faced.

“My friend David was murdered a few years ago on the 29th of October, so it’s a very special day,” Medina said.

She said his memory continues to influence the person she is today.

“Through his death, I was able to move forward in my life. I feel like if it wasn’t for the things that he taught me, I probably wouldn’t be as far as I am now,” Medina said.

^{Performer Lupita Najea walks with burning copal, a traditional incense made from tree resin during the LBCC Dia De Los Muertos event on Nov. 2. Traditionally, the incense cleanse helps drive away bad spirits and negative energy. (Sammy Mayorga)}

The event also featured live performances, including folklórico dancers, a mariachi group and Danza Azteca performers.

Danza Azteca is a traditional Indigenous dance that honors ancestral traditions. 

During the performance, several performers carried burning copal, a traditional incense made from tree resin that is used for spiritual cleansing and to honor ancestors.

Students also helped bring the celebration together. Noah Brainard shared that he helped Rosa from the Justice Scholars program decorate the memorials by placing photos of loved ones on display.

For Brainard, Día de los Muertos is a way to honor family members, friends and others who have passed away.

“It’s like we honor our family members and loved ones, including our friends,” Brainard said.

Brainard also shared that bringing the community together through events like this helps keep traditions alive.

“It’s really good that we bring out the LBCC community because the more we plant the traditions, it’s gonna just bring more around,” Brainard said.

Studio Art major Angelina Pizano shared that the celebration was an opportunity to remember her dog, whom she had to put down last year. Her dog had been with her since she was 5-years old.

“Just celebrating the good memories that you had with somebody, with your pets, or just anyone,” Pizano said.

She keeps her dog’s memory close by wearing a butterfly necklace engraved with her dog’s name.

“I wear this every day for her,” Pizano added.

The event gave students a chance to come together, celebrate their traditions and remember the people and pets who continue to hold a special place in their lives. 

Through music, performances and shared memories, Día de los Muertos reminded attendees that even though their loved ones are no longer physically here, their memories continue to live on.