Latino students with painted skeleton faces marched down S. Wabash Avenue to kick off a night of Latino tradition, dancing and food.

The Latino Alliance hosted the 4th annual Dia de Los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, event on Oct. 30 in the Conaway Center at the 1104 Center, 1104 S. Wabash Ave.

The event began with a procession from the Wabash Campus Building, 623 S. Wabash Ave., to the 1104 Center, 1104 S. Wabash Ave. The procession is a Day of the Dead tradition, in which family members gather and walk to a cemetery to honor their deceased family and friends. The procession ended at a graveyard scene set up in the Conaway Center.

Once at the grave site, it is tradition to leave bread, flowers and gifts for the deceased. Attendees were welcomed to leave flowers, pan de muerto, or bread of the dead, and gifts in honor of family and friends who have passed away at the constructed graveyard.

“I am leaving red lipstick for my aunt who passed away,” said Irma Gutierrez, president of the Latino Alliance. “She wore red lipstick every day of her life.”

Many people in attendance painted their faces as skeletons and some dressed as famous Latinos, such as Mexican artist Frida Kahlo and screen siren Rita Hayworth, born Margarita Carmen Cansino.

As the procession ended, the festivities commenced.

“We don’t mourn the dead,” Gutierrez said. “We celebrate the lives they lived.”

The Conaway Center was decorated with the flags of Latin American nations, traditional art made by Latino Alliance members and two altars. Gutierrez said the alliance created a traditional alter and a contemporary altar this year. Pictures of deceased family members were shown on the traditional altar. The contemporary alter honored Latino artists who have passed away, such as painter Diego Rivera, singer Selena and famous luchador and actor Santo.

The festivities included a traditional dance called “El Garabato” performed by the dance group Tierra Colombiana.

The choreography depicts the constant struggle between life and death. One dancer is in costume as a skeleton, carries a scythe and is representative of death and the person representing death traps the other dancers. The dance is performed to impress the dead.

Joshua Briseno, a Latino Alliance member, also performed songs at the event. A DJ spun traditional Latino music and party-goers danced and feasted on tamales.

“The food and music is great,” said Jazmin Giron, a student who has attended the event the past two years. “I really appreciate that they take the time to play music from all Latin nations.”

Bry White, who joined the Latino Alliance this semester, also attended the event.

“I am half Puerto Rican and I don’t really celebrate my heritage enough,” White said. “Coming to an event like this gives me the chance to experience and get involved with Latin culture and food.”

Gutierrez said the Latino Alliance kept the celebration very traditional this year.

“I feel at home here,” said Stephanie Vega, a new Latino Alliance member. “It’s cool to come here and celebrate these traditions.”

For more information about the Latino Alliance and upcoming events, visit LatinoAlliance.net.