By Monty Siekerman
News reports have mentioned Day of the Dead more often this year. Is this a new holiday coming to America? Can one really celebrate death? Even the local theatre now has "Happy Death Day" playing.

Not to be left behind, the ONU Latino Student Union held a celebration/ observance of Day of the Dead on Monday afternoon in Affinity Commons.

There were snacks and table decor that looked a lot like spooky Halloween decorations. Those who attended made papel  picado, which are cutouts using tissue paper.

Plus, the uninitiated learned a little more about Day of the Dead.

The observance is said to originate in Mexico. Day of the Dead is more significant there this year because 400 people died in two earthquakes. A parade on Saturday saw walking skeletons, costumed dancers, and flowery floats. The parade honored the memory of those who died as well as the rescuers

A plaza in the center of Mexico City was filled with papier-mache skeletal figures and candle-covered shrines where people could put photographs of loved ones killed in the earthquakes.

Mexico’s Day of the Dead celebrations usually consist of quiet family gatherings at the graves of their loved ones bringing them music, drink and conversation.
On the Nov. 1-2 holiday, Mexicans set up altars with photographs of the dead and plates of their favorite foods in their homes. They gathered at their loved ones’ gravesides to drink, sing, and talk to the dead.

In some towns, families leave a trail of marigold petals in a path to their doorways so the spirits of the dead can find their way home. Some light bonfires for the same purpose, sitting around the fire and warming themselves with cups of  punch to ward off the autumn chill.

But it is increasingly celebrated with parades, including floats, giant skeleton marionettes and thousands of participants. Influences of American Halloween celebrations and Hollywood zombie films are common.

Think Day of the Dead will catch on in America?

Pictured, from left: Arianna Sanchez, president of the Latino Student Union; Cody Hepp, secretary; Ciara Sauto, event organizer; Dean Altstaetter, co-advisor.