- Students from the Universidad Veracruzana Intercultural, Grandes Montañas headquarters, told how the festival is experienced in their region
- The rector Martín Aguilar urged to know and understand the culture and customs of the native peoples
The celebration of the Day of the Dead in the Central Rectory Unit featured a typical altar from the Zongolica mountain range
Carlos Hugo Hermida Rosales
Photos: Luis Fernando Fernández
10/31/2024, Xalapa, Ver.- The Central Unit of the Rectory of the Universidad Veracruzana (UV) celebrated the tradition of the Day of the Dead with the display of a typical altar from the Zongolica mountain range, and a costume contest where they participated staff from various departments, encouraged by their colleagues.
Martín Aguilar Sánchez, rector of this house of studies, emphasized the importance of remembering our ancestors, and promoting the preservation of traditions that make us feel proud of our origins.
He mentioned that Mexico is a mestizo nation and the indigenous peoples are a fundamental part of its essence, which is why he urged people to get closer and learn about their culture and customs.
Martín Aguilar Sánchez emphasized the importance of remembering the ancestors
He invited those present to spend a few days of rest, reflection and connection with the past, since in the end it represents a fundamental part of history.
Subsequently, Josela Gabriela Tentzohua Tentzohua and Virginia Hernández Ixmatlahua, students from the Universidad Veracruzana Intercultural, Grandes Montañas headquarters, explained in Nahuatl and Spanish, respectively, how the tradition of the Day of the Dead is lived in the Zongolica mountain range.
They shared that this celebration is deeply rooted in their culture and spirituality, because it allows them to honor and remember loved ones who are no longer here.
Virginia Hernández Ixmatlahua
Gabriela Tentzohua related that a path is made of marigold flowers sprinkled with holy water and incensed with copal, with the aim that the souls see the route to follow.
At the altar they are waited for with oranges, tangerines, sweets and water, as well as candles with a flower scroll mentioning their names.
Virginia Hernández added that red pork tamales, mole, ranch chicken and beef broth, boiled green beans and chocolate are also placed; All this is harvested in the field and prepared, since it is disrespectful to offer purchased food.
The young woman stated that believing in this tradition is essential, because otherwise the deceased may feel abandoned and beaten.
Josela Gabriela Tentzohua Tentzohua
Creativity and ingenuity
The costume contest was divided into two categories: one alluding to the Halloween holiday and another traditional Mexican one.
In the first, the winner was Andrés Aguilar Juárez, from the Revenue Department, with a Lucifer costume; Luis Antonio García and Michelle Ramírez Viveros, from the Accounting Department, obtained second and third place.
Participants in the costume contest exploited their creativity and ingenuity
For her part, in the traditional Mexican costume category, Rosa Alba Arroyo Hernández, from the Material Resources Directorate, triumphed with a representation of La Catrina; Maura Luz Jiménez González and Rodolfo Donaldo Vásquez Moreno, from the Accounting Directorate and the Office of the General Counsel, in that order, completed the podium.
Traditional altar from the Zongolica mountain range installed by students of the UV-Intercultural, Grandes Montañas headquarters
Categories: Main, Work Program 2021-2025, Universidad Veracruzana Intercultural
