HOUSTON – If you’ve seen the Pixar film “Coco,” you may be familiar with Día de Muertos, or the Day of the Dead. But there is more to the holiday than what appears on screen.
Luis Gavito, curator of the ofrendas exhibition for Multicultural Education & Counseling through the Arts (MECA), stopped by the “Houston Life” studio to explain the traditions of the holiday.
Día de Muertos
Día de Muertos is a warm, colorful time to remember and celebrate the lives of those who have passed. Families gather, share food and stories, and create spaces that welcome the spirits of loved ones back for a visit. The observance blends indigenous and Catholic traditions and is traditionally observed Nov. 1 - 2.
Ofrendas
Ofrendas are the heart of the celebration. These personal altars are arranged with photographs, candles, cempasúchil (Mexican marigolds), favorite foods and keepsakes. Building an ofrenda is both an act of care and a moment of reflection that helps families honor a life and pass its story on to the next generation.
At Meca, Gavito follows the Mexican-inspired ofrenda with three tiers, symbolizing the connection between the spiritual realm, the remembered loved ones, and the earthly offerings that welcome visiting spirits.
- The top tier represents the spiritual or celestial realm where you place religious icons like statues of Our Lady of Guadalupe, candles and angels.
- The middle tier represents the memory of the departed soul. Place items like photographs and personal keepsakes that reflect the person’s life and identity.
- The bottom ties represent earthly offerings and sustenance with food (i.e pan de muerto, fruits, favorite meals) to nourish returning spirits, salt for purification and toys, or favorite possessions for children.
- Then decorate the altar with Cempasúchil (the Mexica Marigold), papel picado, calaveras (skulls), catrinas, candles, copal (incense), and other decorations and items that may have had special significance to the one remembered.
MECA’S UPCOMING EVENTS
MECA’s Noche de Ofrendas
MECA opens the season with Noche de Ofrendas, an evening reception that fills the Historic Dow School with more than 30 community-created altars. Visitors can stroll the vivid hallways, view a wide range of artistic interpretations and feel the collective spirit behind each display.
- Friday, Oct. 17
- 7 p.m. — 9 p.m.
- MECA Historic Dow School, 1900 Kane St., Houston, TX 77007 (Historic Sixth Ward)
MECA’s Día de Muertos Festival
The Día de Muertos Festival brings the tradition into a larger community celebration with live demonstrations, performances, food, and family activities.
- Nov. 1 and 2
- 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.
- MECA Historic Dow School, 1900 Kane St., Houston, TX 77007 (Historic Sixth Ward)
Watch the interview and the ofrenda demo in our video above. To learn more about MECA, visit meca-houston.org/dia-de-muertos.