Today marks the beginning of Dia de los Muertos or Day of the Dead, a holiday celebrated in Mexico. The day begins on All Saints Day and lasts until tomorrow, All Souls Day.
"All Saints Day is a holy day of obligation for the church," said Brenda Kindelan, campus minister of The University Catholic center. "It's also a feast day for famous and unknown saints."
Catholics commemorate their deceased and hope they have become saints on All Saints Day.
During this day, people go to mass in a cemetery, have a feast and clean family members' graves, she said.
Ruthbeth Finerman, professor and chair of the department of anthropology, said the Day of the Dead started as a Catholic holiday grounded in All Souls Day.
During All Souls Day, those departed from this life are remembered. A person's soul is purified and destined for heaven if they live a holy life.
Finerman worked in Ecuador where All Souls Day has been celebrated for more than 25 years.
Frank Cardenas, treasurer of the Hispanic Student Association, said out of the 20 to 25 members of the H.S.A., he doesn't know anyone who celebrates the Day of the Dead.
Cardenas is a Catholic and said members of the religion celebrate Hallows Eve or Halloween and the holy saints the day before Nov. 1.
On this day people dress up like saints and imitate them.
Trick-or-treating originated when people dressed like St. Francis and St. Christopher attended a small party and received treats, he said.
The Catholic Church celebrates All Saints Day on Nov. 1. to counter pagan festivals held Oct. 31.
Parts of Mexico that celebrate the Day of the Dead make sugar skeletons and skeletons made of bread, Finerman said.
Families in these regions leave food and belongings on a loved one's grave, demonstrating they are still a part of the family.
Edwin Olivera, a junior graphic design major, grew up in Bolivia and has celebrated the Day of the Dead.
"You pretty much remember the dead people in your family," he said.
Olivera remembers putting up pictures of the deceased. He said his parents would remember a family member's favorite kind of coffee and the brand of cigarettes they smoked. They would leave a cup of coffee out for that person and keep a cigarette lit all day in their honor.
In Bolivia people dress up as skeletons on the Day of the Dead.
"The whole skull imagery is very interesting," Olivera said.
Olivera's mom still lives in Bolivia, and he's pretty sure she still practices the traditions.
"It's difficult to keep up with your customs and culture because people here expect you to assimilate to their culture," he said.
