Hermana Y Hermano kicked off Dia De Los Muertos, Day of the Dead, with authentic mexican food, pan de muerto and music on Heritage Plaza Lawn. 

Heidy Bulbarela-Hernandez, senior graphic design major from Stuttgart, Arkansas, was the  main organizer of the event in collaboration with the Multicultural Center and Student Activities Board. 

She said this event aims to educate the student body about the holiday and make it inclusive for all, not just Latinos. 

“The celebration is remembering deceased loved ones and celebrating their lives,” Bulbara- Hernandez said. “We have these events just to bring everybody together and make them aware of Latino culture.” 

Dia De Los Muertos is celebrated Nov. 1 – 2. Bulbarela-Hernandez said these dates are traditionally an opening for spirits where they can pass through worlds. 

Isabella Graves, a first-year pre-professional biology major from Batesville, Arkansas, said she attended this event to complete a cultural enrichment activity for her Spanish class and thought it’d be fun. 

Graves said she had fun painting skulls and the tacos were delicious. She said events like this are good for helping students learn about other cultures and she would attend more events like this in the future. 

“It’s like being put into the environment, bringing their food here and their activities, it’s good for unionizing people,” Graves said.

As part of the tradition of Dia De Los Muertos, Hermana Y Hermano set up an altar in the Reng Student Union where students could display pictures of their deceased loved ones and or place offerings of their favorite items to honor their lives. 

Trinity Haynes, education program coordinator of the Multicultural Center, said they try to support Hermana Y Hermano in any way they can. 

“If you are part of the Hispanic community or you just want to support them, please join Hermana Y Hermano,” Haynes said. “They’re always looking for people.”

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