Understanding the 'Day of the Dead' Altar

Day of the Dead altars, a tradition developed in Mexico, present foods, photos, candles, and other objects that honor deceased loved ones. Influenced by Aztec and Catholic beliefs, the altars, or Ofrendas, can be set up in homes or public spaces during celebrations of Día de los Muertos or All Saints and All Souls Day at the start of November. Through November 7, Duke Chapel is hosting a large ofrenda commissioned by Duke Arts, featuring calaveras (painted skulls) by artists with the Inter-Latin American Artist Collective (see photo). To better understand the traditions, history, and beliefs surrounding ofrendas, the Chapel, Duke Arts, and Say the Thing, convened a panel discussion, which was held in Spanish and English at the Chapel. The two newest episodes of the Chapel's Sounds of Faith podcast have the English and Spanish portions of the conversation.

The panelists were Pepe Caudillo, an artist with the Inter-Latin American Artist Collective (ILAAC); Amber Santibañez, a visual arts teacher at Durham School of the Arts; Fr. Juan José Hernandez, director of the Duke Catholic Center; and Dr. Sandra Sotelo-Miller, a lecturing fellow in the Thompson Writing Program.

Listen in English:

Escuchar en español:

Watch the bilingual panel discussion:

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