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How to build an ofrenda for Día de los Muertos

The Día de los Muertos tradition honors loved ones who have passed away.

AUSTIN, Texas — Nov. 1 is Día de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead.  Its a celebration to honor loved ones who have passed away.

On the night of Oct. 31, the celebration officially begins when people set up their altar, or ofrenda, which means "offering" in Spanish. Olivia Tamzarian with the Mexican American Cultural Center shared some tips for how to build one. 

Día de los Muertos is filled with beautiful symbols and traditions, including the items included on the ofrendas.

“These are a collection of objects.  Mine today is an altar for Frida Kahlo because she’s my favorite artist. So we wanted to put together some objects that really draw in her spirit and her presence today. It could be a public figure or someone personal in your life,” Tamzarian said.

Some of the items you can put on your ofrenda include sugar skulls. They represent the sweetness of life. Tamzarian said they represent a way of looking at the whole life-and-death cycle as kind of one circle. 

Marigolds and bright colors are also believed to draw in spirits. Many times, people also add their loved ones' favorite foods and drinks to their altar.  

“We have candles lighting their way. There's also purifying elements – a cup of water, some incense and some salt. And because Frida was my favorite artist, I wanted to give her something that's specific to an artist. So she has a palette and a brush,” Tamzarian said.  “It's all about creating something personal for that person. And, you know, here we have several levels to the altar because it's kind of representative of a pyramid, an Aztec pyramid.” 

   

Ofrendas are generally just a collection of objects that draw the person's memory you want to honor.

And whether you believe that the spirit comes and visits or that the holiday is just for the living to have a time to celebrate, you don’t have to be Mexican to make an ofrenda. This is a tradition that anybody can do, any year. It's just a way of having a time to talk about the people you love. 

On Saturday, Nov. 4,, the Mexican American Culture Center is hosting its Día de los Muertos celebration. The event will be held at Pan Am Park on East Third Street from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.  

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