Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) was celebrated at De Anza College’s main quad on November 2, with dancers, alters and face painting.  

The event was funded by Latino Heritage and hosted by Latino/a Empowerment at De Anza in hopes to get De Anza students involved and educate people about the Mexican holiday.

“The holiday is not a day for mourning it’s a day to celebrate,” Anita Adams, LEAD mentor and environmental engineer major said, “It’s a day to celebrate someone who died either a celebrity or a family member.”

Both students and faculty gathered around De Anza’s main quad, meeting a pleasantly slight breeze and temperatures that stood in the mid 70s.  

Tables layed out provided memorial alters that paid tribute to the memories of LEAD students’ family members.  Two alters paid tribute to Steve Jobs, who recently passed away in October

Students and even a part-time English Professor Lita Kurth, had their faces painted white and black to mimic skeleton heads. Meanwhile, Xipe Tokce Aztec dancers from San Jose gave a live dance performance.  

The dancers wore vibrant purples, turquoise greens and head fathered outfits that paid tribute to historic Aztec ceremonial clothing. As drums were played the dancers performed choreographed barefoot dances that drew in audiences during De Anza’s lunch hour. 

“It wasn’t too hot for our performance,” Christina Gil, a Xipe Tokce dancer said, “The dance students saw is a prayer for us … It’s a stress reliever and calms the soul.”

Gil mentioned the performance for her is not to entertain people due to it being spiritual for her. 

Jessica Puentes, a communications major and audience member said, “I want to dance with them,” referring to the Xipe Tokce dancers. As for Día de los Muertos Puentes mentioned “It’s cool because Americans have Halloween and Hispanics have the day of the dead.”

(Victor Arredondo / La Voz Weekly)

(Victor Arredondo / La Voz Weekly)

HERITAGE – Xipe Tokce Aztec dancers perform on Día de los Muertos, adorning facepaint and vibrantly colored feathers. (Victor Arredondo / La Voz Weekly)

(Victor Arredondo / La Voz Weekly)

HONORING THE DEAD – LEAD members paint the faces of De Anza students and faculty. (Victor Arredondo / La Voz Weekly)

(Victor Arredondo / La Voz Weekly)

(Victor Arredondo / La Voz Weekly)