FLINT, Michigan — On a warm November evening, Buckham Alley’s glowing lights adorned the ofrendas lining the dark western alley wall in downtown Flint. Each ofrenda [altar] was decorated with bright orange marigold petals alongside candles, illuminating the path of dead souls back to their homes on earth, the land of the living.
The savory aroma of fresh Venezuelan arepas and traditional Mexican tamales welcomed the tired, hungry, and weary souls traveling back home.
Families and friends ate, danced, and celebrated the lives of their ancestors and lost loved ones in a stunning Dia de Los Muertos (Day of The Dead) celebration hosted by the Latinx Center in downtown Flint.
For Asa Zuccaro, executive director of the Latinx Technology and Community Center, the organization and planning of the event were done with intentionality.
“We wanted to make sure we’re increasing awareness of our cultural community’s existence in the county, in the city. And then additionally we want to make sure we’re increasing awareness of what this event, holiday means and its cultural significance,” said Zuccaro.
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Maricla Franco dances with her son Ezekiel Franko alongside her daughter Nyomi Franco during the Latinx Technology and Community Center's Dia de Los Muertos celebration on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2022 in downtown Flint. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside)Dia de Los Muertos is an intimate tradition that originated in Mexico dating back thousands of years, long before colonialism blended the Spanish’s Catholic traditions with ancient Mexican mysticism. The day is meant to mourn, celebrate and honor loved ones who are deceased.
During this holiday, the missing souls return home and reminisce as the barriers between the land of the dead and the land of the living dissolve. The holiday allows for a healthy way to grieve and develops a culture that portrays death as a positive, natural, and integral part of life.
In Latin American countries, Dia de Los Muertos is celebrated every year from October 31 to November 2. In Brasil, the celebration is called Dia de Finados. According to ancient tradition, the gate between the land of the living and the land of the dead opens at midnight on October 31.
The most commonly recognized symbolism from Dia de Los Muertos are skeletons and calaveras (skulls) with female features accentuated with bright colors. This aspect of the tradition was incorporated after the artist and cartoonist José Guadalupe Posada used skeleton figures wearing elaborate clothing and makeup as a satire against Mexicans adopting European trends over Latin American heritage.
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An ofrenda, decorated with photos of deceased loved ones, tamales, calaveras and flowers sits on display in Buckham Alley during the Latinx Technology and Community Center's Dia de Los Muertos celebration on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2022 in downtown Flint. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside)A universal part of the celebration is the ofrendas that are made for deceased loved ones. Ofrendas all share similar elements including photos of the deceased placed next to some of their favorite food, drinks, or personal items. Each ofrenda features four items that represent the elements water, earth, wind, and fire.
Ashes are typically used to represent earth. A glass of water is often placed on an ofrenda for deceased loved ones’ thirst after their long journey to the land of the living. Tissue papers are used to create elaborate and colorful decor representing air and candles signify the fourth element, fire.
All handmade artistic elements of the ofrenda are placed on varying levels pending the desired representation. Two levels signify earth and the sky, and three levels represent heaven, earth, and purgatory. Ofrendas with seven levels represent the seven deadly sins or the seven steps to enter the afterlife.
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Midred Silva-Zuccaro places calavera makeup on Asa Zuccarro's face during the Latinx Technology and Community Center's Dia de Los Muertos celebration on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2022 in downtown Flint. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside)Juliza Murillo, originally from Jalisco, Mexico, attended the Latinx Dia de Los Muertos celebration. Murillo walked through the Buckham alley wearing a headband of large, beautiful and vibrant flowers and her face painted like a calavera.
“Este dia es importante porque recordamos que todos que ya los non están con nosotros, a nosotroseros queridos,a los que no ya están y recordamos con cariño," said Murillo. [This day is important because we remember all those who are no longer with us, our dear ones, those who are no longer with us and we remember them with love,” said Murillo.]
Murillo was able to celebrate an essential cultural tradition from her home right in the heart of downtown Flint.
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A triple leveled ofrenda sits on display during the Latinx Technology and Community Center's Dia de Los Muertos celebration on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2022 in downtown Flint. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside)
Zuccaro smiled as he looked at the crowd that filled the alley. Friends and families laughed, danced, and had the opportunity to cherish time with their loved ones.
“My favorite thing I have seen today are the reactions,” Zuccaro said with tears in his eyes. “I was standing with somebody and they were looking at the children that died in the Uvalde Shooting in Texas. They got emotional, I got emotional and I had to walk away. Hopefully, this can spark a recurring theme in bringing this back every year.”
Scroll below to see more photos:
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An ofrenda for the children who were killed in the Uvalde Shooting sits on display during the Latinx Technology and Community Center's Dia de Los Muertos celebration on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2022 in downtown Flint. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside)
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Flint residents and guests gather together during the Latinx Technology and Community Center's Dia de Los Muertos celebration on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2022 in downtown Flint. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside)
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Benjamin Johnson poses for a portrait during the Latinx Technology and Community Center's Dia de Los Muertos celebration on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2022 in downtown Flint. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside)
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A calavera figure sits on display during the Latinx Technology and Community Center's Dia de Los Muertos celebration on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2022 in downtown Flint. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside)
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Attendants sit to eat fresly made arepas during the Latinx Technology and Community Center's Dia de Los Muertos celebration on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2022 in downtown Flint. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside)
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Aliza Mendosa and Daniel Solorzano, from I <3 Pig, work together to fry and cook fresh arepas during the Latinx Technology and Community Center's Dia de Los Muertos celebration on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2022 in downtown Flint. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside)
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Friends greet one another during the Latinx Technology and Community Center's Dia de Los Muertos celebration on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2022 in downtown Flint. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside)
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Four freshly made arepas are prepared during the Latinx Technology and Community Center's Dia de Los Muertos celebration on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2022 in downtown Flint. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside)
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An ofrenda with calaveras, tamales, and photos of deceased loved ones sits on display during the Latinx Technology and Community Center's Dia de Los Muertos celebration on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2022 in downtown Flint. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside)
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A child smiles while sitting in a stroller during the Latinx Technology and Community Center's Dia de Los Muertos celebration on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2022 in downtown Flint. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside)
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Friends greet one another during the Latinx Technology and Community Center's Dia de Los Muertos celebration on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2022 in downtown Flint. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside)
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Jeremy Drummon poses for a portrait during the Latinx Technology and Community Center's Dia de Los Muertos celebration on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2022 in downtown Flint. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside)
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An ofrenda is decorated with children's art supplies, fresh fruit, toys, and a candle sits on display in memory of the children killed in the Uvalde shooting during the Latinx Technology and Community Center's Dia de Los Muertos celebration on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2022 in downtown Flint. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside)
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An ofrenda is decorated with a calavera (not pictured: children's art supplies, fresh fruit, toys, and a candle) sits on display in memory of the children killed in the Uvalde shooting during the Latinx Technology and Community Center's Dia de Los Muertos celebration on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2022 in downtown Flint. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside)
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Aliza Mendoza, from I <3 Pig, takes an order for arepas during the Latinx Technology and Community Center's Dia de Los Muertos celebration on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2022 in downtown Flint. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside)
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An attendant smiles and waves during the Latinx Technology and Community Center's Dia de Los Muertos celebration on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2022 in downtown Flint. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside)
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